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amyl nitrite; isoamyl nitrite
Indications:
1) cardiac angina (vasodilator, decreased afterload)
- 0.3 mL inhaled
2) adjunctive agent used to produce changes in the intensity of heart murmurs
3) adjunct agent in the treatment of cyanide poisoning
a) 0.3 mL
b) vapor inhaled for 15-30 seconds every 1-2 minutes until IV sodium nitroprusside is available
Contraindications:
1) severe anemia
2) hypersensitivity to nitrates
Dosage: 1-6 inhalations from 1 ampule
Ampules: 0.3 mL
Pharmacokinetics:
1) angina is relieved within 39 seconds
2) effects last 3-15 minutes
Adverse effects:
1) not common (1-10%)
- headache
- orthostatic symptoms
- flushing
2) uncommon (< 1%)
- rash
- hemolytic anemia
3) other [1]
- tachycardia
- unpleasant odor
Drug interactions: similar to nitrates
Interactions
drug interactions
drug adverse effects (more general classes)
General
nitrite
vasodilator agent
Properties
MISC-INFO: pregnancy-category X
Database Correlations
PUBCHEM cid=8053
References
- Drug Information & Medication Formulary, Veterans Affairs,
Central California Health Care System, 1st ed., Ravnan et al
eds, 1998
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA National Formulary
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Drug
Formulary, 1998
Component-of
amyl nitrite/sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate
cyanide antidote pack