Isobutyl Nitrite Toxicity by Ingestion
Authors: SUMAN WASON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1980)

Brief Reports1 May 1980Isobutyl Nitrite Toxicity by IngestionSUMAN WASON, M.D., ALLAN S. DETSKY, M.D. Ph.D., ORAH S. PLATT, M.D., FREDERICK H. LOVEJOY Jr., M.D.SUMAN WASON, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ALLAN S. DETSKY, M.D. Ph.D.Search for more papers by this author, ORAH S. PLATT, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, FREDERICK H. LOVEJOY Jr., M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-92-5-637 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptSince 1969, butyl and isobutyl nitrite have been commercially available in products sold as liquid incense and room odorizers. Volatile nitrites are increasingly abused as stimulants, aphrodisiacs, and psychedelic agents, and the manufacturers of one brand of isobutyl nitrite, RUSH (Pacific Western Distributing Corporation; San Francisco, California), have reported over 12 million sales since 1973 (1). These compounds contain greater than 90% nitrites, with small quantities of the corresponding alcohol and vegetable oil to render them less volatile.A recent monograph on isobutyl nitrite stated that methemoglobinemia, occurring as a result of butyl, isobutyl, and amyl nitrite inhalation, is "clinically...References1. NICKERSONPARKERLOWRYSWENSEN MJTE. Isobutyl Nitrite and Related Compounds. San Francisco: Pharmex Limited; 1979. Google Scholar2. EVELYNMALLOY KH. Microdetermination of oxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and sulfhemoglobin in a single sample of blood. J Biol Chem 1938;126:655-62. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. GREENBERG M. Heinz body hemolytic anemia: "bite cells"—a clue to diagnosis. Arch Intern Med. 1976;136:153-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. HENRY J ed. Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 16th ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co.: 1979:869. Google Scholar5. DRABKIN D. Maintenance of active hemoglobin—a function of erythrocytes. Fed Proc. 1946;5:132. Abstract. MedlineGoogle Scholar6. PARKER J. Hemodynamic effects of the alkyl nitrites. In: Isobutyl Nitrite and Related Compounds. San Francisco: Pharmex Limited; 1979;79-80. Google Scholar7. PARKER J. Clinical, circulatory and hematological effects of isobutyl nitrite. See Reference 6, pp. 70-8. Google Scholar8. HORNEWATERMANGARRIOTTFOERSTER MMJE. Methemoglobinemia from sniffing butyl nitrite. Ann Intern Med. 1979;91:417-8. LinkGoogle Scholar9. DARLINGROUGHTON RF. Effects of methemoglobinem on the equilibrium between oxygen and hemoglobin. Am J Physiol. 1942;137:56-62. CrossrefGoogle Scholar10. FINCH C. Methemoglobinemia and sulfhemoglobinemia. N Engl J Med. 1948;239:470-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: The Massachusetts Poison Control System Department of Medicine, Hematology Division The Clinical Pharmacology/Toxicology Unit The Children's Hospital Medical Center Boston, Massachusetts PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited bySubstance Abuse: Inhalant-Related DisordersMethaemoglobinaemia associated with the use of cocaine and volatile nitrites as recreational drugs: a reviewAltered Mental StatusSubstances volatilesAcetylsalicylic Acid 50-78-2InhalantsExtreme methaemoglobinaemia secondary to recreational use of amyl nitrite.Fatal Methemoglobinemia Due to Inhalation of Isobutyl NitriteMethaemoglobinaemia due to nitrite poisoningMethemoglobinemia as a cause of comaRegional Cerebral Blood Flow Changes Associated with Amyl Nitrite InhalationTrauma and Other Noninfectious Problems in Homosexual MenKinetics of amyl nitrite-induced hemoglobin oxidation in cord and adult bloodSubchronic toxicology of butyl nitrites in mice by inhalationVolatile nitrites. Use and adverse effects related to the current epidemic of the acquired immune deficiency syndromeThe laboratory use of butylnitrite for the production of methemoglobinClinically significant methemoglobinemia from inhalation of isobutyl nitriteSubchronic inhalation toxicity of isobutyl nitrite in balb/c mice. I. systemic toxicityDepression of murine natural killer cell cytotoxicity by isobutyl nitriteToxicology of Drug AbusePsychosexual Aspects of the Volatile NitritesMethaemoglobinaemiaSevere Tracheobronchitis from Inhalation of an Isobutyl Nitrite PreparationBlush Not with NitritesCHARLES WILLIAM SHARP, PH.D., RICHARD C. STILLMAN, M.D 1 May 1980Volume 92, Issue 5Page: 637-638KeywordsAlcoholsIngestionInhalationMethemoglobinemiaOilsToxicity Issue Published: 1 May 1980 PDF downloadLoading ...