CALGARY – Officials have pulled eight products from a local sex shop over concerns people are using them to get high.
Health Canada says several products labeled as leather cleaners or liquid incense have been removed from Saints N Sinners in northwest Calgary, because they contain (or allege to contain) alkyl nitrites.
According to Health Canada, alkyl nitrites (commonly known as ‘poppers’) are sometimes swallowed or inhaled to get high.
Health Canada says they are not aware of credible evidence that alkyl nitrites are legitimately used in products such as leather cleaners, room odourizers or liquid incense.
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The agency warns consuming the ingredient can pose serious health risks, or even prove fatal, if consumed.
The eight products in question have been removed from Saints N Sinners by Health Canada, who says they’re working with the Canada Border Services Agency to stop any shipments of any of these products from entering the country.
Alkyl nitrites, such as amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite, are considered drugs under the Food and Drugs Act, and require an approval by Health Canada to be legally sold in Canada.
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In the past few weeks, Health Canada has also removed several sexual stimulants sold at the store, also citing health risks.
Side effects of alkyl nitrites
According to Health Canada, serious side effects of consuming alkyl nitrites can include: potentially life-threatening low blood pressure, rapid or irregular heartbeat and a decrease in the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Other side effects include difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, loss of consciousness (fainting or passing out), respiratory depression, and damage to the liver or kidney.
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