Amyl nitrate and amyl nitrite are often confused, but they are not the same thing. Amyl nitrite is a drug used to treat angina by dilating blood vessels. It is inhaled through small glass tubes and can cause side effects such as dizziness and nausea. Misuse of the drug for recreational purposes is dangerous and illegal. Combining it with Viagra can be life-threatening. When used as directed, amyl nitrite is effective, but other drugs may be more suitable for some patients.
Amyl nitrate is a confusing term. Most people easily mix it with a drug called amyl nitrite, and the words are often used interchangeably, though they’re definitely not the same thing. To be clear, amyl nitrate is a chemical that is added to fuel, and amyl nitrite is a drug that tends to be used to treat angina, which causes severe chest pain. The focus of this explanation is on the drug, amyl nitrite, and not the fuel additive, amyl nitrate.
The reason amyl nitrite is effective in treating angina is because it belongs to a class of drugs called vasodilators. These relax, open or dilate blood vessels and create relief from the tightness that can occur in an angina attack. When blood vessels open up, they also reduce blood pressure.
Many people take various forms of oral medications when they have angina and experience an attack. Amyl nitrite has a different delivery method. It is a liquid medicine that is placed in very small glass tubes. These are surrounded by cloth. When a person has a seizure, they squeeze the tube in their hand, pass the tube under their nose, and inhale. This is enough to deliver the drug into the body and create the necessary dilation of blood vessels.
There are some common side effects with this drug. Immediately after use, people may feel dizzy or faint for a few minutes. It’s not uncommon to feel a little nauseous or feel your heart beating very fast. The face may feel warm and the skin may turn red. Many people report having a headache that may go away in a few hours. Less common reactions include skin rashes, which should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
It is these side effects that contribute to the very dangerous practice of using amyl nitrite for non-prescribed purposes. In some countries it may be legal to obtain this drug and use it to get an instant high; the term poppers is used as a street synonym for amyl nitrite. Many people who use this drug in this way are doing it to create greater sexual stimulation. This is strongly discouraged by the pharmaceutical industry and the medical world and is also illegal in a large number of countries.
Of particular interest is the combination of this drug with Viagra®. The two drugs together create a strong risk that your blood pressure could drop to extremely low levels, which is a medical emergency. Overdose is another risk, as people who use drugs inappropriately may not pay attention to the amounts they use. A suspected overdose, which may have symptoms such as bluish discoloration of the extremities, a rapid but hard-to-feel pulse, and extreme fatigue, should be considered a medical emergency.
When used as directed and for its intended purposes, amyl nitrite can be a very effective drug. It’s not always the most appropriate medicine for people with angina. Other drugs may be more suitable, depending on the patient’s other health conditions and needs. Some people don’t even like the delivery system and prefer to take a pill instead.
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