Cocaine abuse with hyperthermia, seizures and fatal complications.

The case of a previously-healthy woman who developed marked hyperthermia after the intravenous self-administration of cocaine is described. Status epilepticus and a prolonged period of hypotension were followed by the development of rhabdomyolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure, impaired cerebral function and hepatic dysfunction. The pathophysiology of these events and their relationship to cocaine overdose is discussed.