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Case Reports
. 2022 Feb 2;35(3):385-386.
doi: 10.1080/08998280.2022.2030188. eCollection 2022.

"Popper" induced methemoglobinemia

Fares Elgendy  1 , Gaspar Del Rio-Pertuz  2 , Dalena Nguyen  2 , Drew Payne  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

"Popper" induced methemoglobinemia

Fares Elgendy et al. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). .

Abstract

Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which red blood cells contain methemoglobin, a form of hemoglobin that contains iron in its oxidized state, at levels >1%, often leading to a hypoxic state. It can be acquired or congenital and has been associated with nitrate or nitrite exposure. "Poppers" and "Rush" are slang terms given to drugs of the chemical class called amyl nitrate or isobutyl nitrite, which are typically inhaled and can be found over the counter. They are used with the intention of enhancing sexual performance due to their vasodilator effects, anal sphincter relaxation, and aphrodisia. We report a case of a man who developed methemoglobinemia secondary to "popper" abuse.

Keywords: Amyl nitrates; methemoglobinemia; popper.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(a) Gray/blue discoloration of the palms after inhalation of poppers. (b) Reversal of discoloration after methylene blue administration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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