Resource SN 101: Understanding Sodium Nitrite, Its Effects, And Answering Common Questions

[Gabriel1987]

Thank you for your concern. I'm scared because of this whole thing with Kenneth Law. The police went to several people's homes to make sure they were okay, and they confiscated several 50g bags of sodium nitrite. I don't want to be committed again. My last suicide attempt landed me in intensive care for four days and then in a psychiatric hospital. But you've reassured me about the legal side of things, thank you.

 

[quietbird]

Hi, thank you so much. I have a couple questions. I was curious what this meant... "Opioids increase the risk of vomiting, but can be treated with Antihistamines." Taking antihistamines with an opioid reduces chances of vomitting? Isn't that what meto is already doing? I may be confused.

Also, do you think it is worth opiods for pain when they already cause nausea/throwing up? I haven't thought enough about how much pain may be involved... and in theory I don't want to do anything to trigger throwing up.. but I've read some people say that we should all expect to throw up some, and that it can still cause death... do you think that's true? I will have 2 cups and am hoping to stay awake enough to be able to take both if needed... but I know I could pass out. My worst case scenario would be waking up again.

 

[Chemi]

Hi, thank you so much. I have a couple questions. I was curious what this meant... "Opioids increase the risk of vomiting, but can be treated with Antihistamines." Taking antihistamines with an opioid reduces chances of vomitting? Isn't that what meto is already doing? I may be confused.

Also, do you think it is worth opiods for pain when they already cause nausea/throwing up? I haven't thought enough about how much pain may be involved... and in theory I don't want to do anything to trigger throwing up.. but I've read some people say that we should all expect to throw up some, and that it can still cause death... do you think that's true? I will have 2 cups and am hoping to stay awake enough to be able to take both if needed... but I know I could pass out. My worst case scenario would be waking up again.

Opioids make people nauseous by confusing the brain's "vomit center" and slowing down the stomach.
Antihistamines help mainly by calming the inner-ear balance system, which opioids often overstimulate, and their sedating effect also reduces the feeling of nausea.
They don't do much to fix the stomach slowing or the direct brain trigger opioids activate.

Metoclopramide, on the other hand, works directly on the brain area opioids overstimulate, blocking the signal that causes nausea.
Because of this, metoclopramide is usually stronger against opioid nausea.
Antihistamines still help, but in a more indirect, gentler way.

While Antihistamines aren't necessary if you already take meto, I still included them for people who got opioids but no meto, and just as a general, easy OTC fix for opioid nausea that many don't know about.