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Case Reports
. 2023 Jan 10;15(1):e33604.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.33604. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Cocaine-Induced Raynaud's Phenomenon: A Case Report

Heong Jin C Ahn  1 , Albert Tine Iii  1 , Arsh N Patel  1 , Samantha A Le  2 , Fulton Defour  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Cocaine-Induced Raynaud's Phenomenon: A Case Report

Heong Jin C Ahn et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

We illustrate a notable case of a middle-aged male who presents to a community hospital with left third- and fourth-digit discoloration and pain for the past four days. On presentation to the emergency department, a urine drug screen was ordered which showed synthetic cannabinoids, cocaine, and amphetamines. Initial therapy of nitroglycerin paste, oral oxycodone, intravenous Dilaudid®, and aspirin was started, which resulted in decreased subjective pain. The pathophysiology and mechanism of cocaine-induced Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) are discussed. Our purpose in putting forward this case is to acknowledge cocaine use as a cause of secondary RP and to emphasize the importance of early recognition to reduce the occurrence of digital necrosis.

Keywords: cocaine use; drug induced vasculitis; raynaud disease; raynaud’s phenomenon; secondary raynaud's.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Electrocardiogram for cardiac workup.
Normal sinus rhythm with left ventricular hypertrophy.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Chest X-ray.
Negative chest x-ray showing no acute changes.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Anterior-Posterior (AP) view of the left hand.
Minimal osteoarthritic changes of thumb metacarpophalangeal joint.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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