FDA: Inhaling local skin anesthesia is dangerous

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday warned the public against misusing a local skin anesthesia by inhaling it to get “high.”

In the FDA’s Advisory No. 2017086, the agency is reminding the public that being a registered product does not mean it can already be used aside from the original purpose for which it was approved.

The FDA issued the warning after receiving reports that the WariActiv® Vapo Coolant Anesthesia Aerosol Spray, Ethyl Chloride is indiscriminately used by some individuals.

“In the interest of protecting public health and safety from adverse health effects brought about by the abuse and misuse of the product, the public is hereby advised to use the product only in accordance with its approved use,” read the advisory.

The FDA said the abuse and misuse of the product’s active ingredient, ethyl chloride, could lead to adverse effects.

According to the agency, short-term inhalation of high levels of ethyl chloride could result in temporary feelings of drunkenness, dizziness, lack of muscle coordination, and unconsciousness, while long-term use could lead to uncoordinated movements, tremors, speech difficulties, slowed reflexes, involuntary eye movement, hallucinations, and liver effects.

It further warned of possible sudden sniffing death syndrome by an otherwise healthy young person due to abuse of butane, propane, and other chemicals.

The local skin anesthesia is used to numb the surface of a body part, such as the skin, the front of the eyeball, the inside of the nose, ear or throat, the anus, and the genital area.