Are there any medical uses of cocaine?

Yes, cocaine can be prescribed for restricted use as a local anesthetic.

Yes. Cocaine is classified as a Schedule II substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means that the DEA and HHS (United States Department of Health and Human Services) have determined that cocaine has the potential for addiction but that it also has some accepted medical use. Cocaine can be prescribed for restricted use as a local anesthetic.

We need a health approach to cocaine.

People have used cocaine for hundreds of years. Learn more about how drug decriminalization and investing in health and overdose prevention centers can keep people safer.

Reviewed and updated by Jules Netherland, PhD, and Dr. Sheila P. Vakharia on 05/02/2023.