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Case Reports
. 2014 Dec;49(11-12):654-8.
doi: 10.1055/s-0040-100107. Epub 2015 Jan 9.

[Case report - a dangerous intoxication after ingestion of alkyl nitrite ("poppers")]

[Article in German]
Barbara Bernasconi, Christoph Konrad, Simon Fischer
Case Reports

[Case report - a dangerous intoxication after ingestion of alkyl nitrite ("poppers")]

[Article in German]
Barbara Bernasconi et al. Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

This case report describes the inadvertent poisoning of a young man with "poppers" after having ingested an unknown amout of the drug. "Poppers" (alkyl nitrite) were made famous in the 1960s as a party drug, and during certain sexual practices, and are still in use today. The drug's inhalation leads to a short-lived rush, vasodilation and relaxtion of smooth muscles. An accidental ingestion can lead to a significant build-up of methemoglobin with dire consequences. The therapy consists of the intravenous administration of methylene blue.

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