The term “poppers” is commonly used for food products, such as chicken poppers, pizza poppers, or jalapeño poppers. But “poppers” is also a slang term used for liquid products packaged in small bottles that contain a chemical substance similar to the drug amyl nitrite. These nitrite poppers, also called liquid gold, have been inhaled or ingested to improve sexual performance or to give an immediate “rush” or sense of relaxation, dizziness, euphoria, mood elevation, or intoxication. However, nitrite poppers are extremely dangerous and should not be swallowed or inhaled. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently issued warnings about these products after receiving reports of deaths and hospitalizations from their use.
Amyl nitrite is a prescription medicine that is inhaled under a physician’s guidance to treat chest pain. However, nitrite poppers contain a similar substance that changes a person’s mental state by affecting their brain or nervous system. Although intense, most of the euphoric effects wear off quickly, typically within a few seconds or minutes. The product is dangerous for people to swallow or inhale.
Nitrite poppers are commonly sold online, in adult novelty stores (as sexual enhancers), or in other locations. They are typically packaged in small bottles that look similar to energy shot drinks (Figure 1) and have names that can mislead consumers into thinking they can be ingested by drinking. Some product names are as follows: Rush, Super Rush, Jungle Juice, Locker Room, Sub-Zero, and Iron Horse. They are often marketed as air fresheners, liquid incense, deodorizers, leather cleaners, cosmetics, solvents, and nail polish remover, although people rarely use them for these purposes.
There are a number of side effects that have led to hospitalizations and even death from the use of nitrite poppers. They can cause your blood pressure to drop quickly, leading to lightheadedness, dizziness, and possibly fainting. They can cause your heart to race or beat faster, which can result in a severe headache and pain and pressure behind your eyes. The fumes can irritate your sinuses and trigger allergic reactions, along with wheezing and difficulty breathing. They can also cause skin irritation around your mouth, nose, and lips.
Here’s what you can do: Do NOT buy or use nitrite poppers. Talk to your children and teens about the dangers of using nitrite poppers. If you, a family member, or someone you know has taken or been given a nitrite popper to inhale or ingest, call the Poison Help hotline at: 1-800-222-1222; or seek emergency medical attention at your nearest hospital.
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Published December 3, 2021
