Chemicals and Drugs

Crack Cocaine

The purified, alkaloidal, extra-potent form of cocaine. It is smoked (free-based), injected intravenously, and orally ingested. Use of crack results in alterations in function of the cardiovascular system, the autonomic nervous system, the central nervous system, and the gastrointestinal system. The slang term crack was derived from the crackling sound made upon igniting of this form of cocaine for smoking.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The purified, alkaloidal, extra-potent form of cocaine. It is smoked (free-based), injected intravenously, and orally ingested. Use of crack results in alterations in function of the cardiovascular system, the autonomic nervous system, the central nervous system, and the gastrointestinal system. The slang term crack was derived from the crackling sound made upon igniting of this form of cocaine for smoking.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

1 entry terms
  • Cocaine, Crack

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

25 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

addiction to crack cocaine = CRACK COCAINE (IM) + COCAINE-RELATED DISORDERS (IM)

MeSH Record

History Note

92

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Cocaine (1986-1991)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D02w.145.074.722.388w.250w
  2. D03w.132w.889.354w.250w
  3. D03w.605.084.500.722.388w.250w
  4. D03w.605.869.388w.250w
  5. D26.878w.250w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QV 113

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Crack Cocaine. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D016578. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D016578
  2. Crack Cocaine. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_cocaine
  3. Crack Cocaine. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q330694