Nitrous oxide (NO)

Kelly Gole

Student pharmacist

Fall 2022

Slang Terms

The following are other names used for nitrous oxide1

Laughing Gas

N2O

NOS Nitro

Nangs

Hippy Crack

Whippet

Balloons

History and Background

The discovery of nitrous oxide was in the year 1772 by an English scientist named Joseph Priestly. It was first used by a dentist named Dr. Horace wells as an anesthetic for dental procedures. 2 It is gas drug and is taken by inhaling froma mask in a dentist’s office, or fromsomething like a balloon or a canister when it is abused. 1

Drug Effects

Some effects a person uses nitrous oxide will feel are1

Euphoria

Sedation

Blurry Vision

Sweating

Hypotension

Numbness

Uncontrolled Laugh

Confusion

Fainting

Weakness

Drug Interactions and Toxicology

There are a fair amount of different interactions nitrous oxide has with other medications. Of note, any drugs that may also cause CNS depressant effects such as alcohol, opioids, and other medications like Ambien. Therefore, it is very important to avoid taking this medication while on any other depressants, because of the enhanced depressive effect.3

Monitoring and Drug Screens

When this drug is being used, it is important to watch for any rebound hypertension that can result.3 Also, it is not on routine drug screening panels, but can be detected in the urine.5

Professional Opinion

My professional opinion about the use of nitrous oxide is that it is applicable for dental procedures, but should not be prescribed for any other reason than anesthesia to help prevent supply from reaching the general public.

~ K. Gole

Laws

It is illegal for a person to possess or sell nitrous oxide with the intention of abusing it. It is also illegal to sell this medication to anyone under the age of 18. However, this medication is not a controlled substance. Therefore, it is able to be prescribed by providers. It is specifically supposed to be used as an anesthetic for dental procedures.4

References

1. Nitrous oxide - Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Adf.org.au. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/nitrousoxide/#:~:text=Other%20names

2. Nitrous Oxide common use is also called laughing gas or happy gas due to its intoxicating effects when inhaled. www.cornerstonedentistrybrantford.ca. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://www.cornerstonedentistrybrantford.ca/site/blog/2016/04/05/a-brief-history-of-happy-gas-nitrousoxide#:~:text=Nitrous%20Oxide%20is%20also%20called

3. Nitrous Oxide. Lexicomp. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Riverwoods, IL. Accessed October 13, 2022. http://online.lexi.com

4. Is Nitrous Oxide Legal - What You Need to KnowAbout N2O. ARISE® Network. Accessed October 7, 2022. https://www.arisenetwork.com/is-nitrous-oxide-legal/

5. Jamanetwork.com. Published 2022. Accessed October 13, 2022. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/204517#:~:text=Inhaled%20nitrous%20oxide%20can%20be