Sodium nitroprusside (Intravenous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 29, 2022.
Sodium nitroprusside may cause precipitous decreases in blood pressure and may lead to irreversible ischemic injuries or death. Continuous blood pressure monitoring is required. Sodium nitroprusside metabolism produces dose-related cyanide and may be lethal. Limit infusions at the maximum rate (10 mcg/kg/min) to the shortest duration possible as patient's ability to buffer cyanide will be exceeded in less than 1 hour at this rate .
Intravenous route(Solution)Sodium nitroprusside is not suitable for direct injection; the reconstituted solution must be further diluted in sterile 5% dextrose injection before infusion. Sodium nitroprusside can cause precipitous decreases in blood pressure; monitor blood pressure continuously while patient is on therapy. Nitroprusside can cause cyanide toxicity which can be lethal. Infusion at the maximum dose rate (10 mcg/kg/min) should never last more than 10 minutes. Monitor acid-base balance and venous oxygen concentration while on therapy; these tests may indicate cyanide toxicity .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Nipride RTU
- Nitropress
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Peripheral Vasodilator
Uses for sodium nitroprusside
Sodium nitroprusside injection is used for lowering of blood pressure immediately in adults and children with high blood pressure. Sodium nitroprusside is also used to reduce bleeding during surgery, and treats acute heart failure. Sodium nitroprusside is a direct-acting vasodilator.
Sodium nitroprusside is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Before using sodium nitroprusside
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For sodium nitroprusside, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sodium nitroprusside or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sodium nitroprusside injection in children.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of sodium nitroprusside injection in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have low blood pressure, which may require caution in patients receiving sodium nitroprusside.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When y
