Methamphetamine versus Cocaine

Methamphetamine vs. Cocaine

Methamphetamine

• Stimulant
• Man-made
• Smoking produces a long-lasting high
• 50% of drug is removed from the body in 12 hours
• Increases dopamine release and blocks dopamine re-uptake
• Limited medical use

Cocaine

• Stimulant and local anesthetic
• Plant-derived
• Smoking produces a brief high
• 50% of the drug is removed from the body in 1 hour
• Blocks dopamine re-uptake
• Limited use as a local anesthetic in some surgical procedures