Nitrates
| Synonyms |
The most common synonyms, based on the type of product, are:
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| Classification |
Central nervous system depressant, solvent:
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| Visual description |
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| Mechanism of action |
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| Routes of administration |
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Effects sought out by the user
- Arousal
- Eases social bonding
- Euphoria
- Facilitates certain sexual practices
- Heightened sexual pleasure / intense orgasm
- Muscle relaxation
Common toxic effects
- Agitation
- Decreased perception of time
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Eye irritation
- Feeling of intense internal heat
- Feeling of panic
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light
- Skin redness
- Specific after taste
- Stimulation
- Stomach cramps
- Sweating
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Vertigo (immediately after inhalation)
- Vomiting
Overdose effects
- Altered perceptions
- Convulsions (rare)
- Fainting
- Methemoglobinemia (can be fatal): occurs most often if ingested, rare when inhaled
- Motor disorders
- Paresthesia (tingling, numbness)
- Respiratory depression
- Syncope (loss of consciousness)
- Violent vertigo
Effects associated with chronic use
- Anemia
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Inflammation of mucus membrane of the nose (poppers dermatitis): resolves within 10 days of stopping
- Kaposi's sarcoma (butyl nitrite) in those with HIV
- Perceptual distortions
- Perioral rash
- Rhinorrhea (runny nose)
- Skin rash/yellowish crusts
- Sneezing
- Sweet breath
Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)
Not well documented.
Addiction
Psychological dependence when used regularly. No physical dependence has been observed.
Withdrawal
Has not been observed.
Onset and duration of action
| Routes of administration |
Onset of action |
Duration of action |
| Inhalation | Very fast | 2 to 3 minutes |
Intoxication management
- An antidote is available: methylene blue. Administer in the presence of methemoglobinemia.
- Symptomatic treatment.
Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.
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The patient information leaflets are provided by Vigilance Santé Inc. This content is for information purposes only and does not in any manner whatsoever replace the opinion or advice of your health care professional. Always consult a health care professional before making a decision about your medication or treatment.