Master Nitroprusside with Picmonic for Medicine

Nitroprusside is a nitrate drug with potent venodilator and vasodilator properties. It is administered via IV and is broken down in the blood into NO, which in turn, increases cGMP, leading to smooth muscle relaxation. This translates into vasodilation and venodilation (slightly more venodilation than vasodilation), which is helpful in rapidly reducing the blood pressure, as this drug is rapid acting and has a short half-life. It is because of this drug's properties that it is given during malignant hypertension, which is a severe increase in blood pressure, causing impairment of one or more organ systems. A notable side effect of this drug is cyanide toxicity. Nitroprusside administration can lead to iatrogenic cyanide toxicity if overused. Sodium nitroprusside has 5 CN ligands in its molecule, and breaks down into thiocyanate. This is usually detoxified in the blood, but can reach toxic levels in the blood. Furthermore, the half-life of thiocyanate is not as short as nitroprussides, but is several days, and patients are at risk for toxicity and effects for longer.