Abstract
Objective:
To provide the reader with an update on the disposition of nitroprusside in the body and the current therapy in managing cyanide and thiocyanate toxicity.
Data Sources:
Currently available literature reports were used to provide readers with a comprehensive framework that will enable them to monitor for, prevent, and if needed, treat patients with cyanide and/or thiocyanate toxicity. Additional sources were used to provide risk factors, which enable practitioners to identify patients predisposed to such toxicities while receiving nitroprusside.
Conclusions:
The continuously changing climate in healthcare and the added visibility of pharmacologic agents in the treatment and prevention of disease have increased pressure on pharmacy departments to provide therapeutic agents that are cost-effective and at the same time result in minimal adverse reactions. Members of the healthcare professions must be able to identify situations that warrant close therapeutic monitoring to prevent extended hospital stays caused by iatrogenic diseases. Nitroprusside is a frequently used agent that can result in extended hospital stays, increased resource use, and even death caused by cyanide and/or thiocyanate toxicity. The identification of patients at risk, methods to monitor therapy, and treatments for toxicity will help reduce such reactions and provide maximal therapeutic response with minimal toxic consequences when using nitroprusside.
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