amyl nitrite; isoamyl nitrite

Indications

• cardiac angina (vasodilator, decreased afterload)
  • 0.3 mL inhaled
• adjunctive agent used to produce changes in the intensity of heart murmurs
• adjunct agent in the treatment of cyanide poisoning
  • 0.3 mL
  • vapor inhaled for 15-30 seconds every 1-2 minutes until IV sodium nitroprusside is available

Contraindications

• severe anemia
• hypersensitivity to nitrates

pregnancy category = x

Dosage

1-6 inhalations from 1 ampule

Ampules: 0.3 mL

Pharmacokinetics

• angina is relieved within 39 seconds
• effects last 3-15 minutes

Adverse effects

• not common (1-10%)
  • headache
  • orthostatic symptoms
  • flushing
• uncommon (< 1%)
  • rash
  • hemolytic anemia
• other
  • tachycardia
  • unpleasant odor

• drug adverse effects of nitrites
• drug adverse effects of antihypertensive agents

Drug interactions

similar to nitrates

• drug interaction(s) of NSAIDs & antihypertensives

More general terms

• nitrite
• vasodilator agent

Component of

• amyl nitrite/sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate
• cyanide antidote pack

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=8053