User:Mr. Ibrahem/Amyl nitrite

Amyl nitrite is a chemical compound and medication. As a medication it has been used for heart related chest pain and cyanide poisoning. For chest pain nitroglycerin is now generally used instead. It is also used recreational by inhalation with claims that it makes a person high and improves sexual function. Effects begin within 30 seconds and last about 4 minutes.

Common side effects may include headache, flushing of the skin, and lightheadedness. Other side effects may include fainting, lose of bladder control, low blood pressure, and nausea. Large doses may result in methemoglobinemia. Tolerance to its effects may occur with withdrawal after it is stopped. It is a yellow liquid with a smell that has been described as fruity. Medically it works by dilating blood vessels.

Amyl nitrite was first documented in 1844 and came into medical use in 1867. It was available as a generic medication; however, is no longer approved for medical use in the United States. It came into common recreational use in the 1960s particularly by the gay community in the United States. Common street names include "poppers" and "pearls". Butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite are sometimes sold claiming to be amyl nitrite for recreational use.