Sodium Nitroprusside (Sodium Nitroprusside)
Overview of Sodium Nitroprusside
Sodium Nitroprusside is a rapid acting antihypertensive agent. Sodium Nitroprusside is a complex of iron, cyanide group and a nitroso moiety. Chemically Sodium Nitroprusside is disodium pentacyanonotrosylferrate (2-) dihydrate. Sodium Nitroprusside is a powerful vasodilator acts by direct dilatation of blood vessels. Given parentrally for severe and acute hypertensive emergencies or for control of blood pressure during surgical procedures. Duration of action is short as metabolized to cyanide and then thiocyanate. Excessive dosage may lead to cyanide poisoning.
Indication of Sodium Nitroprusside
Sodium Nitroprusside is primarily indicated in conditions like Analgesia especially during short operative procedure, Congestive heart failure, Heart failure, Hypertension, Hypertensive crisis, Hypertensive emergencies, Hypotensive anaesthesia, Maintenance of bp at 30-40% lower than ptetreatment diastolic BP, Myocardial infarction, Prophylaxis of NSAID-induced duodenal ulcer, Severe or recurrent duodenal and gastric ulcertion, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Arteriovenous shunt, Pre-eclampsia.
Contraindication of Sodium Nitroprusside
Sodium Nitroprusside is contraindicated in conditions like Tobacco amblyopia,Arteriovenous shunt,Coarctation of aorta,Vitamin B12 deficiency,Leber's optic atrophy.
Side Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Sodium Nitroprusside, which give rise to further complications include Hypothyroidism.,Sodium Nitroprusside produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Increased anaerobic metabolism. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Sodium Nitroprusside therapy.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Sodium Nitroprusside are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Headache, Nausea, Restlessness, Palpitation, Diaphoresis, Muscle twitching, Retrosternal discomfort, Abdominal discomfort.
Precautions of Sodium Nitroprusside
Sodium nitroprusside should be used with caution and in low doses (initially) in elderly patients because they may be more sensitive to hypotensive effects. It should be used with caution in patients with severe renal (kidney) impairment, liver insufficiency, impaired cerebral circulation, tobacco amblyopia or in vitamin B deficiency.