Amyl Nitrate is a drug that acts as a
vasodilator and is used to treat
heart conditions. It is administered as a tablet. It is not paticularly noteworthy as a drug, having little-to-no recreational value. However, it is often confused (even in medical literature) with
Amyl nitrite, which has many recreational uses, and hence it is linked from a number of E2 nodes -- at present, every use in
What are poppers? uses
nitrate instead of the intended
nitrite.
A nitrite is a chemical that includes a NO2 group, while a nitrate has a NO3 group.
According to http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/inhalants/inhalants_info5.shtml, nitrites (poppers) have passed out of medical usage in favor of nitroglycerin. Nitrates, on the other hand, are still used medicinally.