TY - JOUR
T1 - Alarming increase in poisonings from recreational nitrous oxide use after a change in EU-legislation, inquiries to the Dutch Poisons Information Center
AU - van Riel, Antoinette
AU - Hunault, C C
AU - van den Hengel-Koot, I S
AU - Nugteren-van Lonkhuyzen, Annette
AU - de Lange, D W
AU - Hondebrink, L
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors
PY - 2022/2
Y1 - 2022/2
N2 - BACKGROUND: After the change in EU-legislation in 2014, recreational use of nitrous oxide (N2O) increased in the Netherlands from 2015 onwards. We studied the effect on N2O poisonings during an 11 year period.METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on the incidence rate of N2O poisonings, relative to all recreational drug poisonings reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Center (DPIC) from 2010-2020. Secondary outcomes were the frequency of heavy use, frequent use, co-exposures, and toxicity in 2019 and 2020.RESULTS: 433 N2O poisonings were included. The incidence rate increased exponentially from 0.12% in 2010 to 11% in 2020, with an average monthly rate of 3.8%. In 2019 and 2020, 79% of the patients indicated heavy use, frequent use or both, and 42% used from large cylinders. Chronic toxicity (signs of peripheral neuropathy) was reported in 38% of the patients.CONCLUSION: The rate of N2O poisonings increased alarmingly in the Netherlands. An increasing proportion of patients reported problematic heavy or frequent use, accompanied by chronic toxicity.
AB - BACKGROUND: After the change in EU-legislation in 2014, recreational use of nitrous oxide (N2O) increased in the Netherlands from 2015 onwards. We studied the effect on N2O poisonings during an 11 year period.METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on the incidence rate of N2O poisonings, relative to all recreational drug poisonings reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Center (DPIC) from 2010-2020. Secondary outcomes were the frequency of heavy use, frequent use, co-exposures, and toxicity in 2019 and 2020.RESULTS: 433 N2O poisonings were included. The incidence rate increased exponentially from 0.12% in 2010 to 11% in 2020, with an average monthly rate of 3.8%. In 2019 and 2020, 79% of the patients indicated heavy use, frequent use or both, and 42% used from large cylinders. Chronic toxicity (signs of peripheral neuropathy) was reported in 38% of the patients.CONCLUSION: The rate of N2O poisonings increased alarmingly in the Netherlands. An increasing proportion of patients reported problematic heavy or frequent use, accompanied by chronic toxicity.
KW - Drugs of abuse
KW - Legislation
KW - Neurological damage
KW - Nitrous oxide (N O)
KW - Recreational drugs use
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85118574791
U2 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103519
DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103519
M3 - Article
C2 - 34753046
SN - 0955-3959
VL - 100
SP - 1
EP - 4
JO - The International journal on drug policy
JF - The International journal on drug policy
M1 - 103519
ER -