Toxicology of anhydroecgonine methyl ester: A systematic review of a cocaine pyrolysis product.

ABSTRACT: Anhydroecgonine Methyl Ester (AEME), also known as methylecgonidine, is the main pyrolysis product of smoking cocaine (cocaine base paste or basuco, crack, or freebase). This review aims to synthesize the available scientific evidence on the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic effects of AEME. A search of scientific articles published in Science Direct, SCOPUS, and MEDLINE up to May 2024 was conducted. Twenty-four articles, including 13 experimental animal studies, 2 clinical trials, and 3 observational studies, were reviewed. AEME is readily deposited in the alveoli; its absorption improves in combination with cocaine and has a broad tissue distribution. It is metabolized primarily in the liver, with a half-life of approximately one hour, and is mainly excreted through urine. Moreover, AEME a

SUBMITTER: Romero-Norena A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11298642 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature