What is the primary treatment for cocaine overdose?

The primary treatment for cocaine overdose focuses on managing symptoms and reducing the impact of the drug on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Benzodiazepines serve as anxiolytics and sedatives that help to control agitation, anxiety, and seizures that may occur in overdose situations. This sedation is crucial in preventing complications like respiratory depression or further cardiovascular stress.

Intravenous fluids can be administered to maintain hydration and support blood pressure, which often becomes unstable due to the sympathomimetic effects of cocaine, leading to tachycardia and hypertension. The use of fluids can also help in assisting with the elimination of the drug from the system.

While benzodiazepines and IV fluids effectively address the immediate symptoms of cocaine overdose, other treatments have specific roles but may not be the primary focus. For instance, activated charcoal is used for decontamination if the ingestion occurred within a certain timeframe, but it doesn’t mitigate the acute effects of the overdose as effectively. Naloxone is specifically for opioid overdose and is not relevant in the case of cocaine. Therefore, the combination of intravenous fluids and benzodiazepines is the most suitable primary treatment for managing cocaine overdose symptoms.