Poppers warning over ‘serious adverse health effects’
In the UK, the sale of poppers is technically banned, but not possession.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Pexels
The US Food and Drug Administration has warned people against buying and using alkyl nitrites – ‘poppers’ to you and I – due to potential serious adverse side effects, including death.
In a release dated 24 June, the FDA says it “has observed an increase in reports of deaths and hospitalizations” with a number of other issues including severe headaches, dizziness, and breathing difficulties.
The substance – sold online and in adult stores – is commonly used recreationally and to enhance sex.
“Severe headaches, dizziness, increase in body temperature…”
The FDA writes: “These products contain nitrites, which are chemical substances that should not be ingested or inhaled unless specified/prescribed by a healthcare provider.”
It lists the adverse side effects it has monitored as: “severe headaches, dizziness, increase in body temperature, difficulty breathing, extreme drops in blood pressure, blood oxygen issues (methemoglobinemia) and brain death after ingestion or inhalation of nitrite “poppers.”
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 FDA also says it will continue to track and monitor cases and, “will take appropriate actions to protect the public health.” It has recommended that people stop buying and using poppers altogether and contact health providers if there are any concerns or issues.
We will continue tracking reports of adverse events resulting from the ingestion or inhalation of nitrite “poppers.” Contact your health care provider immediately if you are experiencing illness after using these products. Report issues to FDA here: https://t.co/VIjiNRupY0
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) June 24, 2021
Common in the gay and bisexual communities, poppers are usually inhaled to relax the muscles during sex, and also induce a short ‘high’.
The FDA’s advice has elicited a variety of responses with people questioning why this is coming now after the substances have been readily available for decades.
Why are they saying this now in the year 2021 after these products have been sold for decades upon decades
— kyle / free Britney (@kyleusvi) July 6, 2021
The drugs advice service, Talk to Frank, also says the substances can make erections stronger and make orgasms more intense. However, it also warns people against ingesting poppers mentioning that people have died from doing so.
Talk to Frank also says they can lower inhibitions leading people to take greater risks such as not using condoms. This, the service says, has led to an increase in sexually transmitted infections and injuries.
“Not seen to be capable of having harmful effects”
In the UK, poppers are not covered by 2016’s the Psychoactive Substances Act, which banned legal highs, but their sale is technically banned. The reason for this exclusion was cited by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) as “not seen to be capable of having harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem”.
But, the ACMD said concerns about impaired sight and the risk of lower blood pressure related to use of poppers are rare but should be carefully monitored.
The Conservative Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said last year, she is “minded” to legalise the sale of poppers. She’s contacted the ACMD for their advice on the matter. The Home Office confirmed to Attitude they are waiting for that advice before proceeding.
A 2017 study by the AIDS journal found that older men were more at risk of developing some cancers if they used poppers.