sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate

What is the most important information I should know about sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate?

In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you received this medicine.

What is sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate?

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate is a combination medicine that is used in an emergency to treat cyanide poisoning. This type of poisoning can occur if you are exposed to smoke from a house or industrial fire, if you swallow or breathe in cyanide, or if you get cyanide on your skin.

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate helps cells in the body convert cyanide to a form that can be removed through urination.

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate?

If possible before you receive this medicine, tell your caregivers if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• anemia (low red blood cells);
• a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;
• low blood pressure; or
• heart disease.

In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you received this medicine.

How is sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate given?

Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

This medicine is usually given as two separate injections.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate in an emergency setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Since sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate is given in a medical setting, you will be watched closely to make sure you do not receive too much of this medicine. Your caregivers will quickly treat you if you have overdose symptoms.

What should I avoid after receiving sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate?

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• a seizure;
• shortness of breath, tiredness;
• fast or irregular heart rate, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; or
• signs of a blood cell disorder --nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, blue-colored skin, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects may include:

• feeling light-headed, loss of consciousness;
• headache, dizziness, confusion;
• blurred vision; or
• fast or pounding heartbeats.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate?

If possible before you receive this medicine, tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• blood pressure medicine;
• a diuretic (water pill); or
• erectile dysfunction medicine such as sildenafil, tadalafil, Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, Stendra, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate.

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.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision date: 3/31/2021.