Chromatographic Methodologies for Analysis of Cocaine and Its Metabolites in Biological Matrices

Cocaine is the main active alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the coca plant, Erythroxylum coca. It is a widely abused psychotropic drug, for its immediate neurological effects, including euphoria, reduced fatigue and increased mental acuity and sexual desire (Devlin & Henry, 2008; Goldstein et al., 2009; Small et al., 2009). However, cocaine abuse is usually followed by many pathophysiological consequences, namely central and peripheral neurochemical changes that result in hypertension-related morbidity and mortality, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents, as well as liver and kidney toxicity, tissue ischemia and adverse psychotic effects such as paranoia and hallucinations (Devlin & Henry, 2008; Glauser & Queen, 2007; Heard et al., 2008; Karch, 2005; Lombard et al., 1988; Ndikum-Moffor et al., 1998; Tang et al., 2009; White & Lambe, 2003).