• Hypertensive crises.
• Controlled hypotension during anesthesia.
• Cardiac pump failure or cardiogenic shock (alone or in combination with dopamine).

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• ↓ cerebral perfusion.

Use Cautiously in:

• Renal impairment (↑ risk of thiocyanate accumulation)
• Hepatic impairment (↑ risk of cyanide accumulation)
• Hypothyroidism
• Hyponatremia
• Vitamin B deficiency
• OB: Safety not established in pregnancy
• Lactation: Safety not established in breastfeeding
• Geri: Older adults may have ↑ sensitivity to drug effects.

CV: dyspnea, hypotension, palpitations.

EENT: blurred vision, tinnitus.

F and E: acidosis.

GI: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.

Local: phlebitis at IV site.

Neuro: dizziness, headache, restlessness.

Misc: CYANIDE TOXICITY, thiocyanate toxicity.

Drug-Drug:

• ↑ hypotensive effect with ganglionic blocking agents, general anesthetics, and other antihypertensives.
• Estrogens and sympathomimetics may ↓ the response to nitroprusside.

(Generic available)

• Premixed infusion: 20 mg/100 mL 0.9% NaCl; 50 mg/100 mL 0.9% NaCl;
• Solution for injection: 25 mg/mL;

• IV (Adults and Children): 0.3 mcg/kg/min initially; may be ↑ as needed up to 10 mcg/kg/min (usual dose is 3 mcg/kg/min; not to exceed 10 min of therapy at 10 mcg/kg/min infusion rate).

Nipride RTU, Nitropress

• Produces peripheral vasodilation by a direct action on venous and arteriolar smooth muscle.

• Rapid lowering of BP.
• Decreased cardiac preload and afterload.

Therapeutic Classification: antihypertensives

Pharmacologic Classification: vasodilators

Absorption: IV administration results in complete bioavailability.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Rapidly metabolized in RBCs and tissues to cyanide and subsequently by the liver to thiocyanate.

Half-life: 2 min.

Nipride

(hypotensive effect)

• Explain purpose of nitroprusside to patient.
• Advise patient to report the onset of tinnitus, dyspnea, dizziness, headache, or blurred vision immediately.
• Rep: May cause fetal harm. Prolonged or large doses may cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

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