The U.S. FDA approved Sodium Nitroprusside in 1974. Sodium Nitroprusside is an antidote that belongs to the medication class known as vasodilators.

Sodium Nitroprusside is a medication used to rapidly reduce blood pressure in hypertensive crises (severely high blood pressure) and acute heart failure, where the heart's pumping ability is insufficient to supply the body with enough blood. Additionally, it is administered during surgery to control bleeding by maintaining lower blood pressure levels.

Sodium Nitroprusside will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. It is usually administered in a vein (intravenous). Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The most common side effects of Sodium Nitroprusside are low blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, flushing, rash, pain at the injection site, and a condition called methemoglobinemia, which affects the blood's ability to carry oxygen.

Do not use Sodium Nitroprusside if you are allergic to Sodium Nitroprusside or any of its ingredients. Do not take this medicine if you have certain medical conditions such as diseases causing compensatory hypertension (like coarctation of the aorta or arteriovenous shunting), inadequate blood flow to the brain, or if you are in a very critical condition (ASA Class 5E) and need emergency surgery. It is also not suitable for individuals with congenital optic conditions like Leber's optic atrophy or tobacco amblyopia (rare eye condition) or if you have acute heart failure with reduced peripheral vascular resistance. Additionally, avoid using it with medications like sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, or riociguat. It's crucial to consult your healthcare provider for guidance if you have any of these conditions or are taking these medications.

Before beginning the treatment, make sure to let your doctor know if you have specific medical conditions, including thiocyanate toxicity , methemoglobinemia (abnormal increase in methemoglobin levels in the blood), increased pressure inside the skull, or reduced ability to handle anemia and low blood volume when undergoing anesthesia during surgery. It's essential to inform your healthcare provider about these conditions to ensure your safety and determine the most suitable treatment plan. Before taking the medicine, notify your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Follow your doctor's recommendations closely throughout the process. If you experience any concerning symptoms or side effects, be sure to inform your healthcare provider immediately. Be careful and start with small amounts of Sodium Nitroprusside for Injection in elderly patients because it might lower their blood pressure more than in younger people. Do not breastfeed while taking Sodium Nitroprusside injection unless your doctor recommends it. Your medical professional will inform you if you need any dose adjustments. Contact your doctor for more information. Contact your doctor for more information. Keep out of sight and reach of pets and children. Do not freeze the medicine. Do not store above 20°C - 25°C. Always check the expiry date before consuming it.

1. Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on March 2017] [ Accessed on 04th Sept 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209387s000lbl.pdf
2. Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc, [Revised on July 2018] [ Accessed on 04th Sept 2023], https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00046480.PDF
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Treatment of myocardial ischemia and hypertension, 12th edition, 2011, 782 - 783.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Antihypertensive drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 567.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.