What is thiocyanate toxicity?

What is thiocyanate toxicity?

Thiocyanate toxicity is characterized by muscle weakness, hyperreflexia, confusion, delirium, and coma. When the drug is being infused at rates higher than 3 μg/kg/min for periods exceeding 72 hours, thiocyanate levels should be measured.

What is the mechanism of cyanide toxicity?

The mechanism of cyanide intoxication has been attributed to the inhibition of cytochrome oxidase, thereby decreasing the tissue utilization of oxygen.

Can cyanide poisoning be detected?

Since cyanide salts are solid crystalline, their presence in a crime scene or in the areas near victim’s nose or mouth can be easily discovered, collected and preserved for further forensic testing.

Which medicine can cause thiocyanate toxicity?

Sodium nitroprusside causes toxicity by three primary mechanisms: 1) the most common adverse effect is direct vasodilation resulting in hypotension and dysrhythmias; 2) thiocyanate toxicity occurs infrequently, resulting in tinnitus, altered mental status changes, nausea, and abdominal pain; 3) in rare cases, cyanide …

How is nitroprusside overdose treated?

Treatment of cyanide toxicity requires the cessation of nitroprusside and, for severe toxicity, use of the cyanide antidote kit. Cyanide toxicity from nitroprusside may be prevented by concomitant administration of sodium thiosulfate infusions.

How do you know if someone died from cyanide?

What are the symptoms of cyanide poisoning?

1. overall weakness.
2. nausea.
3. confusion.
4. headache.
5. difficulty breathing.
6. seizure.
7. loss of consciousness.
8. cardiac arrest.

How do you treat nitroprusside toxicity?

Methemoglobinemia from excessive doses of sodium nitroprusside or sodium nitrate can be treated with methylene blue (1–2 mg/kg of a 1% solution over 5 min), which reduces methemoglobin to hemoglobin.

What medication turns into cyanide?

Sodium nitroprusside is a potent, effective, and readily reversible direct vasodilating agent. It is broken down by hemoglobin into cyanide, which is in part detoxified by liver and kidney to thiocyanate.

Does Nipride increase blood pressure?

With increasing rates of infusion, sodium nitroprusside has been able to lower blood pressure without an observed limit of effect. Clinical trials have also shown that the hypotensive effect of sodium nitroprusside is associated with reduced blood loss in a variety of major surgical procedures.

How long does it take to show symptoms of cyanide poisoning?

Symptoms of toxic cyanide exposure may appear within a few seconds to several minutes after exposure. How severely you’re affected by cyanide poisoning depends on: There are two different ways you can experience cyanide exposure. Acute cyanide poisoning has immediate, often life-threatening effects.

What are the different types of cyanide poisoning?

There are two different ways you can experience cyanide exposure. Acute cyanide poisoning has immediate, often life-threatening effects. Chronic cyanide poisoning results from exposure to smaller amounts over time. Acute cyanide poisoning is relatively rare, and the majority of cases are from unintentional exposure.

Can a person be poisoned by breathing cyanide gas?

The extent of poisoning caused by cyanide depends on the amount of cyanide a person is exposed to, the route of exposure, and the length of time that a person is exposed. Breathing cyanide gas causes the most harm, but swallowing cyanide can be toxic as well.

How is cyanide poisoning treated in the hospital?

Cyanide poisoning is treated with specific antidotes and supportive medical care in a hospital setting. Antidotes for cyanide poisoning are most useful if given as soon as possible after exposure. Clinicians should treat suspected cases accordingly and not wait for laboratory confirmation.