CLINICAL USE

Hypertensive crisis Heart failure Controlled hypotension in surgery

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

0.3–8 micrograms/kg/minute Maintenance of blood pressure: 20–400 mcg/minuteHeart failure: 10–200 mcg/minute Controlled blood pressure in surgery: maximum 1.5 mcg/kg/minute

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight                           :297.9
  • %Protein binding                           :0
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine     :
  • <10           :
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg)       :0.2
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)      :2–10 minutes/Unchanged

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • 10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function. Avoid prolonged use
  • <10           : Dose as in normal renal function. Avoid prolonged use

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD                :Dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • HD                     :Dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • HDF/high flux   :Dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • CAV/VVHD      :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR 10 to 20 mL/min

    IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs

  • Anaesthetics: enhanced hypotensive effect

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    2–3 mL glucose 5%

    Route

    IV

    Rate of Administration

    10–400 micrograms/minute, adjusted according to response

    Comments

    Dilute 50 mg in 250–1000 mL glucose 5% to give a concentration of 50–200 mcg/mLMinimum volume is 1 mg/mL via central line. (UK Critical Care Group Minimum Infusion Volumes for fluid restricted critically ill patients, 3rd Edition, 2006)Wrap syringes and lines in foil to protect from light

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Sodium nitroprusside is rapidly metabolised to cyanogen which is converted to thiocyanateAvoid prolonged use in renal impairment because accumulation of thiocyanate (which is dialysable) may cause seizures or a comaMonitor thiocyanate and cyanide levels Do not stop infusion abruptly – tail off over 10–30 minutessodium nitroprusside.

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