Inhalant abuse

Background

• First described in the 1950s
• Most common abusant in preteens 11-13yo
• Most abused: gasoline, solvents like toluene, spray paints, lighter fluid, air fresheners, glue, and electronic cleaners (halogenated hydrocarbons)
• Includes: "sniffing", "huffing", "bagging", and "dusting"

Clinical Features

• euphoria, hallucinations
• Neuro: impaired motor activity, ataxia, depressed mentation, withdrawal potential
• Cardiac: widened QRS, prolonged QT, syncope, arrhythmias
• May cause dermal burns
• "Sudden sniffing death" - thought to be occur with sudden catechol surge on a "sensitized" myocardium

Differential Diagnosis

Drugs of abuse

• 25C-NBOMe‎
• Alcohol
• Amphetamines
• Bath salts
• Cocaine
• Ecstasy
• Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
• Heroin
• Inhalant abuse
  • Hydrocarbon toxicity
  • Difluoroethane (electronics duster)
• Marijuana
• Kratom
• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Psilocybin ("magic mushrooms")
• Synthetic cannabinoids
• Chloral hydrate
• Body packing

Management

• If teen founded down with sudden death with history of recent inhalant abuse, recommended to try a beta-blocker (propanolol, esmolol) given the myocardial sensitization in addition to CPR, etc

See Also

• Toxicology (Main)
• Hydrocarbons