Applies to sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate: intravenous solution.
Warning
Intravenous route (Solution)
Sodium nitrite can cause serious adverse reactions and death from hypotension and methemoglobin formation. Patients should be closely monitored to ensure adequate perfusion and oxygenation during treatment with sodium nitrite.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate:
Incidence not known
- Bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
- blurred vision
- change in consciousness
- confusion
- dark urine
- difficult or labored breathing
- dizziness
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- drowsiness
- fainting
- fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- fever
- headache
- lightheadedness
- loss of consciousness
- nausea
- numbness and tingling sensation
- pale skin
- rapid heart rate
- rapid shallow breathing
- seizures
- sore throat
- sweating
- tightness in the chest
- trouble breathing
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Other side effects
Some side effects of sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Anxiety
- confusion about identity, place, and time
- headache
- hives or welts, itching, skin rash
- increased sweating
- redness of the skin
- salty taste in your mouth
- stomach pain
- tingling sensation at the injection site
- warm sensation over your body
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate: intravenous solution.
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Hypotension, tachycardia, palpitations, dysrhythmia, severe hypotension, cyanosis[Ref]
Hematologic
Frequency not reported: Methemoglobinemia, prolonged bleeding time[Ref]
Nervous system
Frequency not reported: Syncope, headache, dizziness, seizures, confusion, coma, lightheadedness, generalized numbness and tingling, salty taste in mouth, warm sensation over body[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Tachypnea, dyspnea[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain[Ref]
Dermatologic
Frequency not reported: Urticaria, diaphoresis[Ref]
Other
Frequency not reported: Fatigue, weakness, death
Local
Frequency not reported: Injection site tingling[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Anxiety, confusion, disorientation
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Acidosis
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision
