What is amyl nitrite?
Amyl nitrite is a depressant which means it slows down the messages travelling between the brain and body. Classified as an inhalant, it belongs to a class of drugs known as alkyl nitrites, which also includes butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite and isopropyl nitrite.1
Amyl nitrite is a vasodilator. Vasodilators are medicines that cause the blood vessels in the body to dilate and the involuntary smooth muscles to relax, lowering blood pressure.2, 3
What does it look like?
Amyl nitrite is an extremely flammable and highly volatile oil that is clear or yellowish in colour and comes in a small glass bottle.2, 4 It typically has a distinct smell similar to dirty socks.4
Other names
Poppers, Jungle Juice, liquid gold, rush, purple haze and buzz.
How is it used?
Amyl nitrite has been used medically in the past for the treatment of angina (chest pain), and has been used for the treatment of cyanide poisoning.3, 4
Recreationally, it’s inhaled directly from the bottle and used to enhance sexual experiences or to experience a general sense of pleasure.
Historically, amyl nitrite has been used more by men who have sex with men.5 This is still common; however, it has also become a common ‘party drug’ that is used more widely.6
Effects of amyl nitrite
Use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Amyl nitrite will affect everyone differently, based on:
- size, weight and health
- whether the person is used to taking it
- whether other drugs are taken around the same time
- the amount taken
- the strength of the drug
- environment (where the drug is taken)
- amount of fresh air breathed while inhaling
- amount of physical activity before and after inhaling.
The effects of amyl nitrate are usually felt straight away, and last for around two to five minutes.3 They include:
- initial ‘rush’ of euphoria
- flushing of the face
- increased heart rate
- dizziness
- warming sensations
- feelings of excitement
- involuntary muscle relaxation, especially the anal and vagin*l sphincter
- nausea
- headaches
- low blood pressure
- slowed breathing
- skin irritation
- blurred vision
- nose bleeds
- psychological effects can include increased sensual awareness, visual distortions, lowered inhibitions and impaired judgement.2, 3, 7, 8
Headaches are common once the ‘high’ passes.3
Set and Setting
Drugs that affect a person’s mental state (psychoactive drugs) can also have varied effects depending on a person’s mood or the environment they are in. This is often called ‘set’ and ‘setting’:
- Set: a person’s state of mind, previous encounters with psychoactive drugs, and expectations of what’s going to happen. For example, feelings of joy, sadness or anger can be magnified when a person drinks alcohol, or feelings of anxiety may be increased when using cannabis.9
- Setting: the environment in which someone consumes a psychoactive drug – whether it’s known and familiar, who they’re with, if they’re indoors or outdoors, the type of music and light. For example, using psychoactive drugs in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment can lead to a different experience than in a noisy, crowded place.9
Long-term effects
The level of harm from the long-term use of amyl nitrite is generally low. However, long term effects can range from mild allergic reactions to potentially life threatening methaemoglobinaemia – a blood disorder that causes inadequate oxygen supply to body tissue.10
Frequent use can also cause a rash around the mouth, nose and eyes, or any skin that is in regular contact with the vapour.11 This can look like a skin irritation. Direct fluid contact with skin can cause burns and should be avoided.8
People who are anaemic, pregnant, have a heart condition, have high blood pressure, or have increased pressure within the skull (head injury or brain haemorrhage) should avoid using amyl nitrite as this can increase the risk of harmful effects.3, 12
There’s also a rare risk of maculopathy (loss of vision) most commonly associated with isopropyl nitrite. For people who have underlying glaucoma there’s a risk of fluid pressure build-up within the eye.3, 8, 13
Using amyl nitrite with other drugs
The effects of using amyl nitrite with other drugs – including over-the-counter or prescribed medications – can be unpredictable and dangerous.
- Amyl nitrite + Viagra or other erectile dysfunction medications: a high risk that the person will lose consciousness due to a sudden and extreme drop in blood pressure.12 This may require immediate medical attention – call 000 in case of an emergency.
- Amyl nitrite + amphetamines: increased strain on the heart, placing whole body under extra stress.12
More on Polydrug use
Polydrug use is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another. Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.
READ MORE
Withdrawal
Regular use of amyl nitrite use does not result in dependence. People who use it regularly shouldn’t experience withdrawal symptoms, however it may take a few days for their body to get used to not having the drug in their system.3
Health and safety
Some people might be unaware of how amyl nitrite should be used and incorrect use can be fatal.8
Amyl nitrite liquid should not be ingested i.e. do not swallow, as it is a highly poisonous substance that can lead to blindness, brain damage, organ failure and death.3 It’s also a powerful irritant that can lead to burns to the face, skin and eyes.8
Getting help
If your use of stimulants is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about a loved one, you can find help and support.
Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs
Help and Support Services search
Find a service in your local area from our list. Simply add your location or postcode and filter by service type to quickly discover help near you.
If you're looking for other information or support options, send us an email at druginfo@adf.org.au
Path2Help
Not sure what you are looking for? Try our intuitive Path2Help tool and be matched with support information and services tailored to you.
Find out more
Inhalant use is not a criminal offence in any Australian state or territory.15
In recent years, some Australian states and territories have revised police powers to intervene in inhalant use in two main ways. Police are authorised to:
- take away inhalants and related equipment
- pick up young people who are using inhalants, and release them into the care of a responsible person, or a place of safety.15
It’s also illegal in some states and territories to sell or supply products to someone if they believe they are to be used for inhaling.16
As of February 2020, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have chosen to down-schedule Amyl Nitrite to a Schedule 3 medicine so that people will be able to purchase it from a pharmacist without needing a prescription.13
State/territory legislation on inhalant sales
It is an offence in Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, and the Northern Territory to knowingly supply an inhalant to a person for the purpose of intentional inhalation.16
