Author: Sam Killian, MD

Educational Pearls:

• Abuse occurs by breathing in volatile substances such as solvents, glues, paints, butane, and propane
• Inhalants are generally depressants
• Estimated that 100-125 people die every year in the US from acute inhalant abuse.
• Short-term effects include memory impairment, slurred speech, diplopia, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias
• Long term effects include renal dysfunction, neuropathy, blindness and cognitive blunting
• Evaluation includes a detailed lung exam, cardiac monitoring, and assessments of oxygenation and renal function
• Treatment is generally supportive.

References

Lipari RN. Understanding Adolescent Inhalant Use. 2013;. Review. PubMed PMID: 28722849.

Howard MO, Bowen SE, Garland EL, Perron BE, Vaughn MG. Inhalant use and inhalant use disorders in the United States. Addict Sci Clin Pract.2011 Jul;6(1):18-31. Review. PubMed PMID: 22003419; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3188822.

Summarized by Will Dewispelaere, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD