Not Medical Advice: Inhalant, such as nitrous oxide, is often not detected with urine or blood drug screening tests, because they have usually been eliminated from the body by the time the test is done.
According to WebMD, inhalants are substances that produce chemical vapors that, when inhaled, result in mind-altering effects. The term inhalant is used because these substances are rarely, if ever, abused by any other means. These substances are common household, industrial, or medical products.
Inhalants commonly abused include:
• Solvents (such as paint thinners and degreasers), gasoline, glues, and office supplies (such as correction fluids, felt-tip markers, and electronics cleaners).
• Gases (such as household products including aerosol computer cleaners, butane lighters, whipping cream aerosols (whippets), spray paints, hair or deodorant sprays, vegetable oil sprays, and fabric protector sprays).
• Nitrites (such as a prescription medicine called amyl nitrite). An illegal form of amyl nitrite, called poppers or snappers, is often packaged and sold in small bottles. Common room odorizers also contain nitrites that can be inhaled.
When inhalants are breathed, they cause alcohol-like effects: slurred speech, lack of coordination, and dizziness. The person can become lightheaded and may have hallucinations and delusions. The effects last only a few minutes. After heavy use of an inhalant, the person may have a headache and feel drowsy for several hours. The person who inhales repeatedly over several hours can lose consciousness and die.
Learn more about inhalant abuse at WebMD.
Tip! Check out this parent's guide to preventing inhalant abuse shared by CPSC.gov.