Nitroprusside injection

What is this medication?

NITROPRUSSIDE (nye troe PRUS ide) is a vasodilator. It relaxes your blood vessels and decreases the amount of work the heart has to do. It is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): NIPRIDE RTU, Nitropress

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• eye disease
• head injury
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low blood counts, like red blood cells
• an unusual or allergic reaction to nitroprusside, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medicine is not for regular use.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• certain medicines for erectile dysfunction
• riociguat

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeat
• general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may get dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• signs and symptoms of increased acid in the body like breathing fast; fast heartbeat; headache; confusion; unusually weak or tired; nausea, vomiting
• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired
• signs and symptoms of methemoglobinemia such as pale, gray, or blue-colored skin; headache; fast heartbeat; shortness of breath; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; tiredness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• facial flushing
• pain, redness or irritation at site where injected

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.