Methemoglobinemia secondary to inhalation of "poppers": clinical case and review of the literature: Methemoglobinemia secondary to amyl nitrite inhalation. A case report and literature review

Summary

Amyl nitrite, known as "poppers", has become popular as a recreational drug in part due to its effects for sexual purposes. Its use is associated with psychiatric and medical complications. We report the case of a patient presenting with moderate methemoglobinemia secondary to the inhalation of amyl nitrite associated with alcohol. On admission, he presented cyanosis around the mouth and in the extremities, dissociation between pulse oximetry and partial pressure of oxygen in arterial gases, in addition to methemoglobinemia 29.9%. Other intoxications and primary causes of methemoglobinemia are ruled out. It is managed with oxygen therapy, hydration and ascorbic acid, presenting a favorable evolution. We present the first case in Chile of methemoglobinemia secondary to consumption of amyl nitrite for recreational purposes.