Nitrous Oxide-induced Reproductive Risks: Should Recreational Nitrous Oxide Users Worry?

Overview

Journal J Psychopharmacol

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2022 May 5

PMID 35510635

Authors

Jan van Amsterdam

Wim van den Brink

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Nitrous oxide (NO) is a frequently used anaesthetic. Since the year 2000, recreational use of NO, also known as 'laughing gas', became popular as a recreational drug due to its mild effect. In the 1980s, several reports warned against NO-induced reproductive risks among healthcare personnel, questioning the occupational safety of NO in health care.

Methods: Data about the reproductive risks of NO were collected from literature.

Results: Particularly in the past, professionals working in dental and midwifery practices, operating theatres and ambulance transport were exposed to high levels of NO. Adverse reproduction effects included congenital anomalies, spontaneous abortion and reduced fertility rates in females. Following occupational measures, like maximal exposure limits for ambient NO, this occupational risk was considerably reduced. Recreational users of NO, however, voluntarily and repeatedly expose themselves to (very) high doses of NO. As such, they exceed the health exposure limits some hundred times, but they are fully unaware of the related reproductive risks.

Conclusion: We advocate to increase the awareness in recreational N2O-users about its potential reproductive risks, especially in heavy users, pregnant users or those who intend to become pregnant.

Citing Articles

Mechanisms Involved in the Neurotoxicity and Abuse Liability of Nitrous Oxide: A Narrative Review.

Brunt T, van den Brink W, van Amsterdam J Int J Mol Sci. 2022; 23(23).

PMID: 36499072 PMC: 9738214. DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314747.

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