FDA issues warning against recreational laughing gas

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration urged individuals to avoid the recreational inhalation of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas following reports of adverse effects.

Although laughing gas is approved for medical and commercial purposes, the agency warned that the recreational use of the gas can lead to adverse effects — including blood clots, asphyxiation, loss of consciousness, impaired bowel and bladder function, paralysis, psychiatric disorders, difficulty walking and death — according to a news report from Reuters.

The FDA is currently determining whether to take regulatory action to better prevent the misuse of laughing gas. Individuals who recently used recreational laughing gas and subsequently experienced adverse effects were urged to contact their health care providers.

Read more: FDA

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