Coca
Scientific names: Erythroxylum coca, Erythroxylum novogranatense
Family: Erythroxylaceae
Alternate names: Bolivian Coca, Coca de Java, Coca Péruvienne, Cocaine Plant, Gu Ko Yi, Health Inca Tea, Huanuco Coca, Inca Health Tea, Inca Tea, Java Coca, Mate-de-Coca, Mate de Coca, Peruvian Coca, Spadic, Truxillo Coca
Actions: Anesthetic, Antimuscarinic, Cardiovascular, Chelating, Cholinesterase inhibitor, Cocaine dependence, Exercise performance, Glycemic, Hormonal, Immune, Insecticidal, Lipid, Musculoskeletal, Neurologic, Nutritional, Weight loss
Background
Coca (Erythroxylum coca) is a plant. The leaves are sometimes used to make medicinal tea. They are also a source of cocaine, an illegal drug in the US.
The cocaine found in coca can cause an increase in brain activity and have numbing (anesthetic) effects. Cocaine is highly addictive.
People use coca leaves for fatigue, asthma, altitude sickness, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using coca can also be unsafe.
The cocaine found in coca can cause an increase in brain activity and have numbing (anesthetic) effects. Cocaine is highly addictive.
People use coca leaves for fatigue, asthma, altitude sickness, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using coca can also be unsafe.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Coca leaf that has had the cocaine removed (decocainized) is commonly used as a food flavoring. There isn't enough reliable information to know if regular coca leaves are safe. But the cocaine contained in coca leaves is likely unsafe. Cocaine is illegal in the US and can cause serious side effects such as migraines, seizures, strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and liver and kidney failure. As little as 1/4 of a teaspoon of cocaine can be deadly. Cocaine is highly addictive.
When inhaled: The cocaine contained in coca leaves is unsafe. Cocaine is illegal and can cause serious side effects such as migraines, seizures, strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and liver and kidney failure. As little as 1/4 of a teaspoon of cocaine can be deadly. Cocaine is highly addictive.
Breast-feeding: It's unsafe to use coca when breast-feeding. The cocaine in coca is excreted into breast milk, and harmful effects can occur in infants.
Asthma: The cocaine in coca can make asthma worse. Don't use it.
Heart disease: The cocaine in coca can make heart disease worse. Don't use it.
Diabetes: Coca might increase blood sugar levels in some people. Coca might affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
High blood pressure (hypertension): Coca can increase blood pressure. Don't use it.
History of stroke or at risk for stroke: If you have a history of stroke or are at high risk for having a stroke, do not use coca. The cocaine in coca increases the chance of dying from a stroke.
A condition called plasma pseudocholinesterase deficiency (PPD): People with PPD are more likely than others to have seizures and/or die after using coca. Don't use it.
When inhaled: The cocaine contained in coca leaves is unsafe. Cocaine is illegal and can cause serious side effects such as migraines, seizures, strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and liver and kidney failure. As little as 1/4 of a teaspoon of cocaine can be deadly. Cocaine is highly addictive.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: It's unsafe to use coca when pregnant. The cocaine in coca might cause a miscarriage or birth defects. Coca use is also linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).Breast-feeding: It's unsafe to use coca when breast-feeding. The cocaine in coca is excreted into breast milk, and harmful effects can occur in infants.
Asthma: The cocaine in coca can make asthma worse. Don't use it.
Heart disease: The cocaine in coca can make heart disease worse. Don't use it.
Diabetes: Coca might increase blood sugar levels in some people. Coca might affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
High blood pressure (hypertension): Coca can increase blood pressure. Don't use it.
History of stroke or at risk for stroke: If you have a history of stroke or are at high risk for having a stroke, do not use coca. The cocaine in coca increases the chance of dying from a stroke.
A condition called plasma pseudocholinesterase deficiency (PPD): People with PPD are more likely than others to have seizures and/or die after using coca. Don't use it.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Likely ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Athletic performance. Coca increases heart rate but it doesn't seem to improve the body's ability to exercise.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of coca might be. But the cocaine found in coca leaves may be unsafe. Speak with a healthcare provider before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Alcohol (Ethanol)
Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.
Coca contains cocaine. Cocaine can affect your thinking. Alcohol can also affect your thinking. Taking cocaine and alcohol together can cause serious effects on thinking.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Coca might increase blood sugar levels. Taking coca along with diabetes medications might reduce the effects of these medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Coca might increase blood pressure. Taking coca might reduce the effects of blood pressure medications. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Nifedipine (Procardia)
Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.
Coca contains cocaine. Taking cocaine with nifedipine increases the risk of serious side effects such as seizure.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 07/12/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 12/12/2014 19:07:50. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
