The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned of increasing deaths and hospitalizations from the use of nitrites also known as “poppers”.
The FDA has observed an increase in reports of deaths and hospitalizations with problems such as severe headaches, dizziness, increased body temperature, shortness of breath, extreme drops in blood pressure, blood oxygen problems (methemoglobinemia) and brain death after ingestion or inhalation of nitrite “Poppers”, so it advised consumers not to buy or use them.
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Poppers, sold online or in adult novelty stores, may be marketed as nail polish removers, but are swallowed or inhaled for recreational use.
They are packaged in small bottles, ranging from 10 to 40 ml, with a similar appearance to energy injections.
Popular brands include Jungle Juice, Extreme Formula, HardWare, Quick Silver, Super RUSH, Super RUSH Nail Polish Remover, and Premium Ironhorse, among others.
FDA is advising consumers not to purchase or use nitrite “poppers” which can result in serious adverse health effects, including death. These products are marketed as nail polish removers but are being ingested or inhaled for recreational use. https://t.co/5Qkd0wleuc pic.twitter.com/9PgY3KTA02
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) June 24, 2021
The substance, amyl nitrite and other alkyl nitrites are called “legal highs”, narcotics or stimulants that can produce effects similar to cocaine or ecstasy, but which, for various reasons, were not classified as illicit drugs.
The reason for their appeal is they contain alkyl nitrites in liquid form which, when inhaled, dilate blood vessels, relax smooth muscles (such as sphincters) and produce an intense feeling of joy in some people, however in others it has the opposite effect. Which explains why “poppers” are found on the shelves packed in small, colorful bottles with names like Buzz (buzz), Rush (euphoria), and Deep.
The rise of amyl nitrite occurred in the disco era, in the ’70s and then in the “rave” scene of the ’80s and ’90s, heavily influenced by the gay community. It soon became the way to become socially uninhibited. It is said that in New York nightclubs, the atmosphere was frequently doused to create a collective euphoria.
This Thursday the word “poppers” became a trend on Twitter and other social networks when users recalled the information from the FDA and its alert against these products.
Some netizens downplayed the ad, others hinted that they would keep taking it. There were many requests to ban them permanently.