The FDA’s Crackdown on Poppers: What You Need to Know

The Party’s Over: FDA Targets Poppers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a crackdown on "poppers," a recreational drug widely used in the LGBTQ+ community, according to multiple reports. Poppers, made from alkyl nitrates, have long existed in a legal gray area, often marketed as cleaning solvents or nail polish remover to avoid regulation. However, their popularity as a party drug and their association with the LGBTQ+ community, particularly as a sex enhancer, have now brought them under intense scrutiny.

In a recent development, Double Scorpio, a Texas-based poppers producer, announced that it had halted all operations following an FDA search and seizure. The company’s website, once a hub for its products, now displays only a brief statement thanking customers for their loyalty over the past eight years. “We don’t have a lot of information to share,” the statement reads, “but we believe that the FDA has performed similar actions towards other companies recently.”

Other brands, such as Rush producer Pac-West Distributing (PWD) and poppers seller Nitro-Solv, have also gone silent, with their websites either stripped of content or announcing the cessation of operations. AFAB Industrial, a major player in the industry, has likewise gone dark, leaving many to wonder if the entire poppers market is under threat.

What Are Poppers, and Why Are They Controversial?

Poppers are small bottles of liquid alkyl nitrites, typically inhaled for a fleeting euphoric high and muscle-relaxant effects. Sold at convenience stores, sex shops, and gas stations, they have been a staple in certain LGBTQ+ social circles, especially as a tool to enhance sexual experiences.

The history of poppers is complex. Originally used as a prescription medication for chest pain, poppers were ruled a prescription-only drug by the FDA in the 1960s. When the active ingredient, amyl nitrites, became restricted, manufacturers shifted to butyl nitrites, which were later banned in 1988. This led to the use of isopropyl nitrites, which found a loophole under "commercial purposes," allowing poppers to continue being sold as solvents or polish removers.

Despite their widespread use, poppers have faced criticism and misinformation. In the 1980s, they were incorrectly linked to the AIDS crisis, a claim that has been debunked but still lingers in some circles. More recently, concerns have shifted to their potential health risks, including racing heartbeats, nausea, vision issues, and even death if ingested.

The FDA’s Scrutiny and Its Implications

The FDA has long been aware of the misuse of poppers but has only recently taken significant action. In 2021, the agency issued a warning, stating that inhaling or ingesting these chemicals can cause severe health complications, including seizures, heart arrhythmia, and death. “These chemicals can be caustic and damage the skin or other tissues they come in contact with,” said Judy McMeekin, Pharm.D., Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs, in the warning. “Do not ingest or inhale under any circumstances.”

Despite these warnings, poppers have remained popular, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. For many users, they are a harmless way to enhance pleasure and social experiences. However, the FDA’s recent crackdown has sent shockwaves through the industry, with multiple brands shutting down or erasing their online presence.

The FDA’s actions have also raised questions about why poppers are being targeted now. Some speculate that the agency is responding to rising reports of misuse and health risks. A recent study in Clinical Toxicology found that poison control centers in New York City saw an uptick in poppers-related poisoning incidents. Researchers found that half of the store workers surveyed recommended inhaling poppers, while 8% suggested ingesting them—both of which are dangerous and contra