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AMYL NITRITE (Systemic)
Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.
Category
- Antianginal
- Antidote to cyanide poisoning
- Diagnostic aid, cardiac function
Description
Amyl nitrite (AM-il NYE-trite) is related to the nitrate medicines and is
used by inhalation to relieve the pain of angina attacks. It works by
relaxing blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the
heart while reducing its workload.
Amyl nitrite may also be used for other conditions as determined by your
doctor.
This medicine comes in a glass capsule covered by a protective cloth. The
cloth covering allows you to crush the glass capsule between your fingers
without cutting yourself.
On the street, this medicine and others like it are sometimes called "poppers."
They have been used by some people to cause a "high" or to improve sex. Use
in this way is not recommended. Amyl nitrite can cause serious harmful
effects if too much is inhaled.
Amyl nitrite is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the
following dosage form:
Inhalation
- Glass capsules (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor
will make. For amyl nitrite, the following should be considered:
Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to amyl nitrite or nitrates. Also tell your health care
professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods or
dyes.
Pregnancy-Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in
either humans or animals. However, use of amyl nitrite is not recommended
during pregnancy because it could cause serious problems in the unborn baby.
Breast-feeding-It is not known whether amyl nitrite passes into
breast milk. However, use of amyl nitrite is not recommended during
breast-feeding, because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Children-Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult
patients and there is no specific information comparing use of amyl nitrite
in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults-Dizziness or lightheadedness may be more likely to
occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of amyl
nitrite.
Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
amyl nitrite, it is especially important that your health care professional
knows if you are taking any of the following:
- Amantadine (e.g., Symmetrel) or
- Antidepressants (medicine for depression) or
- Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine) or
- Antipsychotics (medicine for mental illness) or
- Bromocriptine (e.g., Parlodel) or
- Diuretics (water pills) or
- Levodopa (e.g., Dopar) or
- Medicine for heart disease or
- Nabilone (e.g., Cesamet)-in high doses or
- Narcotic pain medicine or
- Nimodipine (e.g., Nimotop) or
- Pentamidine (e.g., Pentam) or
- Pimozide (e.g., Orap) or
- Promethazine (e.g., Phenergan) or
- Trimeprazine (e.g., Temaril)-May increase dizziness or lightheadedness
when getting up from a lying or sitting position
- Sildenafil-May increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of amyl
nitrite
It is also important that your health care professional knows if you are
using any of the following medicines in the eye:
- Levobunolol (e.g., Betagan) or
- Metipranolol (e.g., Optipranolol) or
- Timolol (e.g., Timoptic)-May increase dizziness or lightheadedness
when getting up from a lying or sitting position
Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may
affect the use of amyl nitrite. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have
any other medical problems, especially:
- Glaucoma-Amyl nitrite may make this condition worse
- Recent stroke, heart attack, or head injury
Proper Use of This Medicine
To use amyl nitrite:
- When you begin to feel an attack of angina starting (chest pains or
a tightness or squeezing in the chest), sit down. Then crush the
cloth-covered glass capsule containing amyl nitrite between your finger
and thumb. Pass it back and forth close to your nose and inhale the vapor
several (1 to 6) times . Since you may become dizzy, lightheaded, or
faint soon after using amyl nitrite, it is best to sit or lie down rather
than stand while the medicine is working. If you become dizzy or faint
while sitting, take several deep breaths of air and either bend forward
with your head between your knees or lie down with your feet elevated.
- Remain calm and you should feel better in a few minutes.
Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor , and do not
use more than your doctor ordered. Using too much amyl nitrite may cause a
dangerous overdose. If the medicine does not seem to be working as well
after you have used it for a while, check with your doctor. Do not
increase the dose on your own .
Dosing-Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the
label . The following information includes only the average doses of
amyl nitrite:
- For inhalation dosage form:
- Adults: 0.3 milliliter (1 ampul) taken by inhaling the vapor of amyl
nitrite through the nose. Dose may be repeated within 1 to 5 minutes if
pain is not relieved. If you still have chest pain after a total of 2
doses in a 10-minute period, contact your doctor or have someone take
you to a hospital emergency room without delay .
Storage-To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom or in the kitchen. Heat may cause the
medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure
that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Do not take sildenafil (e.g., Viagra) if you are taking this medicine.
When sildenafil is taken with amyl nitrite, the combination can lower
blood pressure and cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. In
some cases, sildenafil taken with the related nitrates has caused death.
Amyl nitrite is extremely flammable . Keep it away from heat or
any open flame, especially when crushing the capsule. Amyl nitrite can catch
fire very easily and cause serious burns.
Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur , especially when you get
up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help, but if the
problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine may make the
dizziness or lightheadedness worse and may cause a serious drop in blood
pressure . Check with your doctor before drinking alcoholic beverages.
After using a dose of amyl nitrite, you may get a mild headache that
lasts for a short time. This is a common side effect and is no cause for
alarm. However, if this effect continues, or if the headaches are severe,
check with your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may
need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side
effects occur:
Signs and symptoms of overdose
Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms of hands; dizziness (extreme)
or fainting; feeling of extreme pressure in head; shortness of breath;
unusual tiredness or weakness; weak and fast heartbeat
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the
medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side
effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If
you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 08/13/1998
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