what are cocaine metabolites

Cocaine metabolites are chemicals that the body produces to process cocaine. The two most important metabolites of cocaine are benzoylecgonine and ecgonine methyl ester. Benzoylecgonine is the main metabolite of cocaine, formed by the liver and excreted in the urine. It is the compound tested for in most cocaine urine drug screens and in wastewater screenings for cocaine use. Benzoylecgonine has an estimated half-life of seven to nine hours and is detectable in urine for 2 to 3 days after cocaine use. In heavy users, the test may be positive for up to 2 weeks after use.