To the Editor: Recreational use of nitrous oxide is increasing among regular drug users in Australia1 and internationally.2 In a New South Wales survey of participants who had used ecstasy or other stimulants in the past 6 months, 75% of respondents reported recent use of nitrous oxide in 2018, up from 20% in 2013.3 Nitrous oxide use while bingeing on stimulants rose from 4% of respondents in 2013 to 16% in 2017.4,5 Access to nitrous oxide has been facilitated by businesses offering 24/7 delivery of large quantities of canisters, ostensibly for whipping cream.6
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Peacock A, Gibbs D, Karlsson A, et al. Australian drug trends 2018: key findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) interviews. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, 2018. https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/australian-drug-trends-2018-key-findings-national-ecstasy-and-related-drugs-reporting (viewed June 2019).
- 2. Winstock A, Barratt M, Ferris J, Maier L. Global Drug Survey 2017: global overview and highlights. London: Global Drug Survey, 2017. https://www.globaldrugsurvey.com/wp-content/themes/globaldrugsurvey/results/GDS2017_key-findings-report_final.pdf (viewed June 2019).
- 3. Gibbs D, Peacock A. New South Wales drug trends 2018: key findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) interviews. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, 2018. https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/new-south-wales-drug-trends-2018-key-findings-ecstasy-and-related-drugs-reporting-system (viewed June 2019).
- 4. Entwistle G, Burns L. NSW trends in ecstasy and related drug markets 2013: findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS). Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, 2013. https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/nsw-trends-ecstasy-and-related-drug-markets-2013-findings-ecstasy-and-related-drugs; (viewed Sept 2019).
- 5. O'Donnell C, Uporova J. NSW trends in ecstasy and related drug markets 2017: findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS). Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, 2017. https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/resource/nsw-trends-ecstasy-and-related-drug-markets-2017-findings-ecstasy-and-related-drugs; (viewed Sept 2019).
- 6. Thomas J, Jones R. Doctors warn of dangerous rise in use of “nangs”. ABC News 2017; 19 Oct. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-16/doctors-warn-of-dangerous-use-of-nangs-or-nitrous-oxide/9046574 (viewed June 2019).
- 7. Garakani A, Jaffe RJ, Savla D, et al. Neurologic, psychiatric, and other medical manifestations of nitrous oxide abuse: a systematic review of the case literature. Am J Addict 2016; 25: 358–369.
- 8. NSW Health. Nitrous oxide: the facts [fact sheet]. Sydney: NSW Health. https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/publications/Pages/nitrous-oxide-drug-facts-english.aspx (viewed June 2019).
We thank the Rapid Surveillance, Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health, for their assistance in extracting and analysing the ED data.
No relevant disclosures.