Mechanism of action for cocaine

 

Cocaine is a psychomotor stimulant that inhibits catecholamine uptake by binding to and inhibiting reuptake transporters for dopamine and noradrenaline at presynaptic nerve terminals.

 

This increases the synaptic concentration of these stimulatory neurotransmitters and increases the peripheral effects on the sympathetic nerve terminals. Therefore having an increased psychomotor stimulatory effect.