Nitroprusside is a vasodilator that works by relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels to
help them dilate (widen). This lowers blood pressure and allows blood to flow more easily
through your veins and arteries.
Nitroprusside is used to treat congestive heart failure and life-threatening high blood
pressure (hypertension). Nitroprusside is also used to keep blood pressure low during a surgery.
Nitroprusside may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nitroprusside?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to nitroprusside, or if you
have:
hereditary vision loss (Leber's disease);
vision problems caused by smoking; or
a history of blood clot in your brain.
Before receiving nitroprusside, tell your doctor if you are allergic to
any drugs, or if you have:
high blood pressure (hypertension);
liver disease;
anemia (a lack of red blood cells);
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
a history of head injury or brain tumor.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive
nitroprusside, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Nitroprusside may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not
receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take nitroprusside?
Nitroprusside is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. An infusion
pump is used to inject nitroprusside, to assure that you do not receive the medicine too quickly.
You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Nitroprusside is usually
given for as long as needed until your body responds to the medication.
To be sure nitroprusside is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to
be checked during the entire time you are receiving this medication.
What happens if I miss a dose of nitroprusside?
Since nitroprusside is usually given as needed in a hospital setting, it is not likely that you
will miss a dose.
Where can I get more information about nitroprusside?
Your pharmacist has information about nitroprusside written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of nitroprusside?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Tell your caregivers at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
feeling extremely light-headed, even while lying down;
confusion, ringing in your ears;
fainting, breathing that stops;
gasping or struggling to breathe;
dizziness with nausea and vomiting, confusion, rapid
breathing, and seizure;
tremors, chills, bowel or bladder urgency;
fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
easy bruising or bleeding; or
muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in your
arms and legs.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
skin rash;
warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
darkening or deeper color of veins through your skin; or
pain or irritation where the needle is placed.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about nitroprusside?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to nitroprusside, or if you
have hereditary vision loss (Leber's disease), vision problems caused by smoking, or a history of
blood clot in your brain.
Before receiving nitroprusside, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure
(hypertension), liver disease, anemia (a lack of red blood cells), a seizure disorder, or a history of
head injury or brain tumor.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this
medicine.
Symptoms of a nitroprusside overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,
sweating, severe dizziness, headache, muscle twitching, fast or pounding heartbeat, restless
feeling, and chest or back pain.
Tell your caregivers right away about any serious side effects such as breathing
problems, tremors or chills, numbness or cold feeling in your hands or feet, easy bruising,
unusual bleeding, muscle pain or weakness, confusion, feeling extremely light-headed, or
fainting.
What should I avoid while taking nitroprusside?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions in food, beverages, activities, or
other medications after treatment with nitroprusside.
What other drugs will affect nitroprusside?
Before receiving nitroprusside, tell your doctor if you take any blood pressure
medications. You may not be able to receive nitroprusside, or you may need dosage adjustments
or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs that can affect nitroprusside. Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without
telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of nitroprusside?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum 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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009