Tag: Cyanide toxicity

While cyanocobalamin does contain a small cyanide molecule, your body efficiently and safely neutralizes and eliminates it. This puts to rest the common concern, 'Does cyanocobalamin turn to cyanide in the body?', which often arises due to misunderstanding the chemistry involved.

Iatrogenic cyanide toxicity is a rare but life-threatening complication primarily associated with the administration of sodium nitroprusside. Understanding which drug can cause cyanide toxicity is crucial for clinicians in critical care settings to ensure patient safety.

Certain compounds, known as cyanogens, can release cyanide during metabolism in the body [1.2.1]. While a prescribed medication, sodium nitroprusside, is known for this, other controversial substances and natural compounds also pose a risk of cyanide toxicity [1.2.3, 1.4.1].

Originally approved by the FDA in 1974, sodium nitroprusside is a potent and fast-acting vasodilator used intravenously in critical care settings. So, what is nitroprusside used for, and why does its use require such intensive monitoring? This article explores its primary clinical applications, mechanism of action, and associated risks.