Cyanide poisoning systemic with sodium

Nitroprusside [nye troe PRUSS ide] is administered intravenously, and causes prompt vasodilation, with reflex tachycardia. It is capable of reducing blood pressure in all patients, regardless of the cause of hypertension. The drug has little effect outside the vascular system, acting equally on arterial and venous smooth muscle. [Note Because nitroprusside also acts on the veins, it can reduce cardiac preload.] Nitroprusside is metabolized rapidly (t1/2 of minutes) and requires continuous infusion to maintain its hypotensive action. Sodium nitroprusside exerts few adverse effects except for those of hypotension caused by overdose. Nitroprusside metabolism results in cyanide ion production, although cyanide toxicity is rare and can be effectively treated with an infusion of sodium thiosulfate to produce thiocyanate, which is less toxic and is eliminated by the kidneys (Figure 19.14). [Note Nitroprusside is poisonous if given orally because of its hydrolysis to cyanide.]... 

DOT CLASSIFICATION 6.1 Label Poison SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Human systemic effects by ingestion nausea or vomiting, hypermotility, diarrhea, kidney changes, somnolence. Hydrolyzes to toxic fumes. A friction- and impact-sensitive explosive. It may initiate detonation of liquid hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with fluorine, magnesium, sodium nitrite. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Hg, NO, and CNT See also CYANIDE and MERCURY COMPOUNDS. 

---