Nitroprusside - Stepwards

Page Contents

1 WHAT IS IT?
2 WHEN DO WE USE IT?
3 WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?
4 HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
5 WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?
6 ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?
7 FURTHER READING

WHAT IS IT?

Nitroprusside works by increasing cGMP through the direct release of nitric oxide. it is a short acting balanced venous and arterial vasodilator.

WHEN DO WE USE IT?

Hypertensive emergency/malignant hypertension: patients with very high blood pressure can be treated quickly with this medication.

WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?

HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?

Cyanide poisoning: this medication releases cyanide in the body (part of this medications structure is cyanide). Cyanide will halt the activity of the electron transport chain (which is very problematic).

ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?

Short acting: this medication exercises its effects quickly.

It decreases both preload and afterload: because of this the stroke volume is maintained with the usage of this medication.