Sodium nitrite (medical use)
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| AHFS/Drugs.com | FDA Professional Drug Information |
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| Formula | NaNO2 |
| Molar mass | 68.9953 |
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Sodium nitrite is used as a medication together with sodium thiosulfate to treat cyanide poisoning.[1] It is only recommended in severe cases of cyanide poisoning.[2] In those who have both cyanide poisoning and carbon monoxide poisoning sodium thiosulfate by itself is usually recommended.[3] It is given by slow injection into a vein.[1]
Side effects can include low blood pressure, headache, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, and vomiting.[1] Greater care should be taken in people with underlying heart disease.[1] People's levels of methemoglobin should be regularly checked during treatment.[1] While not well studied during pregnancy, there is some evidence of potential harm to the baby.[4] Sodium nitrite is believed to work by creating methemoglobin that then binds with cyanide and thus removes it from the mitochondria.[4]
Sodium nitrite came into medical use in the 1920s and 1930s.[5][6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.[7] The cost in the United States together with sodium thiosulfate is about 110 USD.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 WHO Model Formulary 2008 (PDF). World Health Organization. 2009. p. 65. ISBN 9789241547659. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
- ↑ "Sodium Nitrite Solution for Injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) - (eMC)". www.medicines.org.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ↑ Baren, Jill M. (2008). Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 1018. ISBN 1416000879.
- 1 2 "Sodium Nitrite Injection - FDA prescribing information, side effects and uses". www.drugs.com.
- ↑ Dart, Richard C. (2004). Medical Toxicology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 172. ISBN 9780781728454.
- ↑ Bryan, Nathan S.; Loscalzo, Joseph (2011). Nitrite and Nitrate in Human Health and Disease. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 226. ISBN 9781607616160.
- ↑ "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (19th List)" (PDF). World Health Organization. April 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
- ↑ Gasco, L; Rosbolt, MB; Bebarta, VS (April 2013). "Insufficient stocking of cyanide antidotes in US hospitals that provide emergency care.". Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics. 4 (2): 95–102. PMID 23761707.