Sodium Nitroprusside

How does it work?

Sodium nitroprusside breaks down in the blood and releases a chemical call nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide enters the muscle cells in the walls of the blood vessels and causes them to relax. When the muscles relax, the blood vessels become wider and the blood pressure decreases. Sodium nitroprusside is used for the emergency treatment of high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis). It is also used to produce controlled hypotension (low blood pressure)in anaesthetised patients during surgery. It has been used in the emergency treatment of severe heart failure to reduce heart workload.

What is it used for?

Controlled induction of hypotension during certain surgical procedures.

Dangerously high blood pressure

Severe heart failure

Warning!

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism may occur.

Use with caution in

Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)

Decreased kidney function

Low blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia)

Low plasma levels of vitamin B12

People over the age of 75 years

Not to be used in

A rare inherited disease affecting young males causing the loss of sight in the centre of the field of vision (Lebers optic atrophy)

Disorder of blood flow to the brain (cerebral insufficiency)

High blood pressure which is due to a physical cause

Severe liver disease

Vitamin B12 deficiency

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Abdominal pain

Drowsiness

Nausea

Involuntary muscle movements such as tremors or twitching

Sweating

Restlessness

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)

Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations)

Dizziness

Retching

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)

Redness around injection site

Increased heart rate (tachycardia)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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