Nitrous acid (as sodium nitrite) is used as part of an intravenous mixture with sodium thiosulfate to treat cyanide poisoning. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medications needed in a basic health system. There is also research to investigate its applicability towards treatments for heart attacks, brain aneurysms, pulmonary hypertension in infants, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
Synonyms
hydroxidooxidonitrogen
Nitrous acid
dioxonitric acid
Potassium nitrite
Sodium nitrite
nitrosyl hydroxide
Brand Names
Sodium Nitrite
Rite Aid Enamel Guard
CVS Pharmacy Enamel Guard
Sodium Nitrite Injection, USP
Wakefern Enamel Guard
Nithiodote
Indication
For sequential use with sodium thiosulfate for the treatment of acute cyanide poisoning that is judged to be life-threatening [FDA Label].
Categories
Acids
Acids, Noncarboxylic
Anions
Antidotes
Compounds used in a research, industrial, or household setting
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682
