Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate

Generic name: Sodium Nitrite And Sodium Thiosulfate
Brand names: Nithiodote
Dosage form: intravenous solution (30 mg-250 mg/mL)
Drug class: Antidotes

Usage of Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate is a combination medicine that is used in an emergency to treat cyanide poisoning. This type of poisoning can occur if you are exposed to smoke from a house or industrial fire, if you swallow or breathe in cyanide, or if you get cyanide on your skin.

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate helps cells in the body convert cyanide to a form that can be removed through urination.

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest tightness, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

a seizure;

shortness of breath, tiredness;

fast or irregular heart rate, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; or

signs of a blood cell disorder--nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, blue-colored skin, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects of sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate may include:

feeling light-headed, loss of consciousness;

headache, dizziness, confusion;

blurred vision; or

fast or pounding heartbeats.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate

If possible before you receive this medicine, tell your caregivers if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

anemia (low red blood cells);

a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;

low blood pressure; or

heart disease.

In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you received this medicine.

You should not breastfeed while using sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate.

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How to use Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate is usually given as two separate injections.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely.

Warnings

In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you received sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate.

What other drugs will affect Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate

If possible before you receive sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate, tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

blood pressure medicine;

a diuretic (water pill); or

erectile dysfunction medicine such as sildenafil, tadalafil, Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, Stendra, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.