It has a close structural relation to cocaine: it is both a metabolite and a precursor, and as such, it is a controlled substance in many jurisdictions, as are some substances which can be used as precursors to ecgonine itself.

Structurally, ecgonine is a cycloheptane derivative with a nitrogen bridge.

It is levorotary, and on warming with alkalis gives iso-ecgonine, which is dextrorotary.

[1] It is a tertiary base, and has the properties of an acid and an alcohol.

It is the carboxylic acid corresponding to tropine, for it yields the same products on oxidation, and by treatment with phosphorus pentachloride is converted into anhydroecgonine, C9H13NO2, which, when heated to 280 °C with hydrochloric acid, eliminates carbon dioxide and yields tropidine, C8H13N.