In contrast to nitroglycerin, nitroprusside causes a more balanced vasodilatory effect between arteries and veins.

The result of this signaling cascade is peripheral vasodilation of both arteries and veins (with slightly more selectivity for veins).įrom a hemodynamic perspective, the net result is a decrease in systemic vascular resistance (afterload), ventricular filling pressures, and systemic blood pressure with an increase in cardiac output. Onset is rapid (within 2 minutes), and the duration of its hypotensive effect is roughly 10 minutes these properties make nitroprusside useful in situations requiring an immediate reduction in preload or afterload.

Upon binding to vascular smooth muscle, NO triggers intracellular cGMP-mediated activation of protein kinase G and subsequent inactivation of myosin light chains, resulting in relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. Acting as a prodrug, SNP reacts with sulfhydryl groups on erythrocytes (as well as albumin and other proteins) to produce nitric oxide (NO). Sodium nitroprusside is a water-soluble salt comprised of ferrous iron complexed with nitric oxide (NO) and five cyanide ions. Sodium nitroprusside has the following FDA-approved indications: While sodium nitroprusside's potential adverse effects and toxicity have led to its replacement by newer agents in some practices, it remains a useful tool in certain difficult clinical situations that require a potent, fast-acting, titratable vasodilator.

After an initial delay in gaining FDA approval due to difficulty in the development of a chemically stable formulation, SNP gained widespread use as a fast-acting antihypertensive agent and has been used clinically for hypertensive crises, heart failure, cardiac/vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, and a variety of other acute applications. First discovered in 1849 by Playfair, its applications in human medicine can be traced back to the early 1920s, with the first safety and efficacy data published in 1955.

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is a potent vasodilator that first gained FDA approval for the treatment of severe hypertension in 1974.

Half life 2 combines