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The United States Department of Health and Human Services has issued a nationwide health alert notifying the public of levamisole adulterated cocaine in over 70% of DEA seized cocaine. Seattle Washington agents have found levamisole in over 80% of their cocaine seizures.
Cocaine manufacturers are cutting their product with levamisole - an anti-parasitic drug used by veterinarians. Cocaine manufacturers are using the levamisole to increase dopamine levels in cocaine users. This means greater addictive qualities which means more people addicted to cocaine and a bigger bottom line.
Levamisole was once used to treat certain types of colon cancer but researchers found it ineffective.
The danger of levamisole adulterated cocaine is that it can cause two similar health conditions:
- Granulocytopenia (neutropenia) - Means not enough granulocytes (Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basohils).
- Agranulocytosis (literally means no granulocytes)
The three terms (agranulocytosis, neutropenia and granulocytopenia) are often used interchangeably.
Symptoms of Agranulocytosis:
- Fever
- Sore Throat
- Painful Mouth Ulcers
- Anal Ulcers
- Reduced Immune Response
- Swollen Glands
- White Coating of Mouth, Tongue or Throat
- Diarrhea
Agranulocytosis can only be treated in a hospital
Agranulocytosis Treatment:
- Broad Spectrum Antibiotics
- Intensive Care
- Granulocyte Transfussions
Agranulocytosis is one cause of a person not having enough of a specific type of white blood cells, called neutrophils or granulocytes. There are three main granulocytes:
- Neutrophil (50-70% of all leukocytes)
- Eosinophil (5% of all leukocytes)
- Basophil (1% of all leukocytes)
A low neutrophil count (neutropenia) may also occur when white blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced.
There are three general guidelines used to classify the severity of neutropenia (agranulocytosis) based on the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) measured in cells per microliter of blood:
- Mild neutropenia (1000 <= ANC < 1500) - minimal risk of infection
- Moderate neutropenia (500 <= ANC < 1000) - moderate risk of infection
- Severe neutropenia (ANC < 500) - severe risk of infection.
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