Nitropress

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.

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.

Since nitroprusside is usually given as needed in a hospital setting, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

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 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.

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions in food, beverages, activities, or other medications after treatment with 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.

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.