sodium nitroprusside

sodium /so·di·um/ (so´de-um) a chemical element, at. no. 11, symbol Na; the chief cation of extracellular body fluids. For sodium salts not listed here, see under the acid or the active ingredient.

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sodium acetate  a source of sodium ions for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, also a systemic and urinary alkalizer.

sodium ascorbate  an antiscorbutic vitamin and nutritional supplement; also used as an aid to deferoxamine therapy in the treatment of chronic iron toxicity.

sodium benzoate  an antifungal agent also used in a test of liver function.

sodium bicarbonate  the monosodium salt of carbonic acid, used as a gastric and systemic anatacid and to alkalize urine; also used, in solution, for washing the nose, mouth, and vagina, as a cleansing enema, and as a dressing for minor burns.

sodium biphosphate  monobasic s. phosphate.

sodium borate  the sodium salt of boric acid, used as an alkalizing agent in pharmaceuticals.

sodium carbonate  the disodium salt of carbonic acid, used as an alkalizing agent in pharmaceuticals.

sodium chloride  common table salt, a necessary constituent of the body and therefore of the diet, involved in maintaining osmotic tension of blood and tissues; uses include replenishment of electrolytes in the body, irrigation of wounds and body cavities, enema, inhaled mucolytic, topical osmotic ophthalmic agent, and preparation of pharmaceuticals.

sodium chromate Cr 51  the disodium salt of chromic acid prepared using the radioactive isotope chromium 51; used to tag erythrocytes or platelets for studies of red cell disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and platelet survival.

sodium citrate  the trisodium salt of citric acid, used as an anticoagulant for blood or plasma for transfusion; also used as a urinary alkalizer.

dibasic sodium phosphate  an electrolyte replenisher, laxative, urinary acidifier, and antiurolithic, often used in combination with other phosphate compounds. Labeled with radiophosphorus (s. phosphate P 32), it is used as an antineoplastic in the treatment of polycythemia vera, chronic lymphocytic or myelocytic leukemia, and metastatic bone lesions.

sodium dodecyl sulfate  (SDS) the more usual name for sodium lauryl sulfate when used as an anionic detergent to solubilize proteins.

sodium fluoride  a dental caries prophylactic, NaF; used in the fluoridation of water and applied topically to the teeth.

sodium glutamate  monosodium glutamate.

sodium hydroxide  NaOH, a strongly alkaline and caustic compound; used as an alkalizing agent in pharmaceuticals.

sodium hypochlorite  the sodium salt of hypochlorous acid, NaClO, having germicidal and disinfectant properties.

sodium hyposulfite  s. thiosulfate.

sodium iodide  a binary haloid, used as a source of iodine. Labeled with radioactive iodine, it is used in thyroid function tests and thyroid imaging and to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid carcinoma.

sodium lactate  the sodium salt of racemic or inactive lactic acid, used as a fluid and electrolyte replenisher to combat acidosis.

monobasic sodium phosphate  the monohydrate, dihydrate, or anhydrous monosodium salt of phosphoric acid; used in buffer solutions. Used alone or in combination with other phosphate compounds, given intravenously as an electrolyte replenisher, orally or rectally as a laxative, and orally as a urinary acidifier and as an antiurolithic.

sodium monofluorophosphate  a dental caries prophylactic applied topically to the teeth.

sodium nitrite  an antidote for cyanide poisoning; also used as a preservative in cured meats and other foods.

sodium nitroprusside  an antihypertensive used in the treatment of acute congestive heart failure and of hypertensive crisis and to produce controlled hypotension during surgery; also used as a reagent.

sodium phenylbutyrate  an antihyperammonemic agent used as adjunctive treatment to control the hyperammonemia of urea cycle enzyme disorders.

sodium phosphate  any of various compounds of sodium and phosphoric acid; usually specifically dibasic s. phosphate.

sodium polystyrene sulfonate  a cation exchange resin used as an antihyperkalemic.

sodium propionate  the sodium salt of propionic acid, having antifungal properties; used as a topical antifungal; also used as a preservative.

sodium salicylate  see salicylate.

sodium sulfate  an osmotic laxative.

sodium tetradecyl sulfate  an anionic surfactant with sclerosing properties; used as a wetting agent and in the treatment of varicose veins.

sodium thiosulfate  a compound used as an antidote (with s. nitrite) to cyanide poisoning, in the prophylaxis of ringworm (added to foot baths), topically in tinea versicolor, and in some tests of renal function.

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sodium nitroprusside

n.

A compound used as a reagent for the detection of organic compounds in the urine and as a potent agent for inducing hypotension through intravenous infusion.

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sodium nitroprusside (SNP),

a vasodilator.

indications It is prescribed primarily in the emergency treatment of hypertensive crises and in heart failure.

contraindications Certain compensatory forms of hypertension, such as coarctation of the aorta or impaired cerebral circulation, or known hypersensitivity to the drug prohibits its use.

adverse effects Among the most serious adverse effects are a rapid fall in blood pressure or symptoms of cyanide poisoning (cyanide is produced by the metabolism of nitroprusside). Muscle spasms also may occur.