Public advisory

Poppers are unauthorized and may pose serious health risks

Last updated

Summary

Product
Various unauthorized health products known as “poppers”
Issue
Health products - Unauthorized product
What to do

Stop using these products and consult your health care professional if you have health concerns. Report these or any unauthorized health products to Health Canada.

Affected products

Unauthorized poppers
Photo Product Hazard Identified Company Action Taken Date Added
Dolce Detersive Bello Dolce Detersive Bello Product tested by Health Canada and found to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-08-07
amsterdam Amsterdam Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
blue-boy Blue Boy Original Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
double-scorpio-rose-gold Double Scorpio Rose Gold Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite, N-butyl nitrite, Tert-butyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
english-royale English Royale Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
gold-label-amsterdam Gold Label Amsterdam Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
jungle-juice Jungle Juice Platinum Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
jungle-juice-platinum-black Jungle Juice Platinum Black Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
pig-sweat Pig Sweat Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
rochefort Rochefort Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
rush-original Rush Original Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
rush Rush Power Pak Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
super-rush Super Rush Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites Wiggles Adult Video

980 The Queensway,

Etobicoke, ON
Seized from retail location 2024-06-13
jungle-juice Jungle Juice Platinum Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain isobutyl nitrite Boutique Érotique Le Prince

5355 Mnt Saint-Hubert

Saint-Hubert, Quebec
Seized from retail location 2023-10-06
rush Rush Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain isobutyl nitrite Boutique Érotique Le Prince

5355 Mnt Saint-Hubert

Saint-Hubert, Quebec
Seized from retail location 2023-10-06

Issue

Health Canada is advising about unauthorized products promoted as "poppers" that may pose serious health risks. "Poppers" is a slang term for products that contain alkyl nitrites. Despite being labelled for various uses such as leather cleaners, room deodorizers or liquid incense, these products are inhaled or ingested by consumers for recreational purposes. Health Canada updates the table when it finds unauthorized poppers for sale in Canada. Links to previous tables with affected products are also available below.

Alkyl nitrites, such as amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite are prescription drugs and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. Products containing alkyl nitrites may pose serious risks, including death, depending on the amount used, how frequently they are used and how long they are used for, as well as the person's health and the other medications they may be taking. Since it is difficult to control how much is inhaled, people can accidentally overdose. Swallowing these products can lead to serious medical complications and may be fatal. People with certain medical conditions (including recent head trauma, bleeding into the head, glaucoma, or heart disease) and those taking certain medications (particularly drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, and other drugs such as high blood pressure medications, certain migraine drugs, and high doses of aspirin) or illicit drugs are at particular risk.

Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means that they have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality. Unauthorized health products can pose many health dangers, including:

  • They may contain ingredients not listed on the label. This includes ingredients like prescription drugs, possibly at doses exceeding maximum recommended amounts. Prescription drugs should be taken only under the supervision of a health professional because they may cause serious side effects. Using a product that contains ingredients that the consumer is not aware of increases the chance of dangerous allergies and interactions with other medications and foods.
  • The label may indicate a dangerous ingredient or combination of ingredients. For example, it could list a drug that should be available only by prescription from a health care professional, or a combination of ingredients that Health Canada does not permit because of serious health risks.

Health Canada maintains this page so that the public can easily identify products they may have purchased and take appropriate action. You are encouraged to check back regularly for updates. Advisories on safety issues involving other types of products are available in the recalls and safety alerts database.

What you should do

  • Stop using the products listed in the table. Consult your health care professional if you have used these products and have health concerns, and for advice on which health products are best for you and your family.
  • Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check if products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
  • Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.

What companies should know:

  • Selling unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal.
  • When Health Canada identifies unauthorized products that may pose serious health risks, Health Canada takes appropriate action to prevent further distribution and informs the public. This includes working with the Canada Border Services Agency to help prevent further importation of unauthorized products.

Additional information

Background
Details
Original published date:
Alert / recall type
Public advisory
Category
Health products
Companies
Published by
Health Canada
Audience
Identification number
RA-74391
Media and public enquiries

Health Canada

613-957-2983

media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Public enquiries

613-957-2991

1-866-225-0709

hcinfo.infosc@canada.ca

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