Numerous different household products can potentially be misused/abused. One such product is whipped cream charger/propellant that contains nitrous oxide.
Acute toxicity produce dose dependent response
- Euphoria
- Anxiolysis
- Sedation
- Unconsciousness
- Asphyxiation
Chronic toxicity causes myeloneuropathy (demyelination of the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord) due to vitamin B12 deficiency
- Extremity paresthesias
- Ataxia
- Peripheral sensory neuropathy (loss of vibration sense and proprioception)
- Weakness
- Hematologic effects: leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastic anemia
Management
- Cessation of nitrous oxide use
- Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) repletion (IM)
References
J Med Toxicol. 2019 Aug 6. doi: 10.1007/s13181-019-00726-x. [Epub ahead of print]
Nitrous oxide toxicity: case files of the carolinas medical center medical toxicology fellowship.