Substances | Amyl Nitrates

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Synonyms

Poppers, Rush, Video Tape cleaner, Leather Cleaner

Class

Depressant, Vasodilator

Mechanism of action

Exact mechanism is not fully elucidated, but vasodilation is likely mediated by nitric oxide [1]

Medical use

Precursor to modern nitroglycerin, decreases blood pressure while increasing heart rate and cardiac output.

Administration routes

Inhaled only

Effect

"Downer”

Fast onset and short duration “high,” feelings of warmth and euphoria/pleasure, increases physical sensation, relaxes anal sphincter

Safety Strategies

Understand the Sexual Importance of Poppers and Inherent Heterosexism in Anti-Popper Campaigns

Coming soon.. [2]

Risk for Serious Side Effects if Combined with Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors (Sildenafil/Viagra)

Coming soon..

Close Your Eyes

Coming soon.. [3]

Avoid Skin Contact, and Ingestion

Coming soon.. [3]

Immune Related Concerns Negligible

Coming soon.. [4]

Citations & Reading

[1] Nossaman VE, Nossaman BD, Kadowitz PJ. Nitrates and nitrites in the treatment of ischemic cardiac disease. Cardiol Rev. 2010;18(4):190-197.
[2] Schwartz C, Fast D, Knight R. Poppers, queer sex and a Canadian crackdown: Examining the experiences of alkyl nitrite use among young sexual minority men. International Journal of Drug Policy. 2020;77:102670.
[3] Fledelius HC. Irreversible blindness after amyl nitrite inhalation. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 1999;77(6):719-721.
[4] Dutta A, Uno H, Holman A, Lorenz DR, Wolinsky SM, Gabuzda D. Long-term nitrite inhalant exposure and cancer risk in MSM. AIDS (London, England). 2017;31(8):1169-1180.