Nitropress (Nitroprusside Sodium) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Nitropress

High Blood Pressure »

High blood pressure facts

High blood pressure (hypertension) is designated as either essential (primary) hypertension or secondary hypertension and is defined as a consistently elevated blood pressure exceeding 140/90 mm Hg.
High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because it often causes no symptoms for many years, even decades, until it finally damages certain critical organs.
Poorly controlled high blood pressure ultimately can cause damage to blood vessels in the eye, thickening of the heart muscle and heart attacks, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), kidney failure, and strokes.
Most antihypertensive medications can be used alone or in combination. Some are used only in combination. Some are preferred over others in certain specific medical situations. And some are not to be used (contraindicated) in other situations.
Several classes of antihypertensive medications are available, including ACE i...

Read the High Blood Pressure article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next »

Nitropress

Heart Disease Slideshow Pictures

Medical Illustrations of the Heart Image Collection

Take the Heart Disease Quiz!

font size

Nitropress Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving nitroprusside (Nitropress)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to nitroprusside, or if you have:

hereditary vision loss (Leber's disease);
vision problems caused by smoking; or
a history of blood clot in your brain.

Before receiving nitroprusside, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

high blood pressure (hypertension);
liver disease;
anemia (a lack of red blood cells);
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
a history of head injury or brain tumor.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive nitroprusside, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Nitroprusside may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take nitroprusside (Nitropress)?

Nitroprusside is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. An infusion pump is used to inject nitroprusside, to assure that you do not receive the medicine too quickly.

You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Nitroprusside is usually given for as long as needed until your body responds to the medication.

To be sure nitroprusside is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked during the entire time you are receiving this medication.

Related Drug Centers