Category: Toxicology
Keywords: cyanide toxicity, sodium tetrathionate, (PubMed Search)
Posted: 6/27/2019 by Hong Kim, MD, MPH
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Cyanide poisoning, while uncommon, is frequently fatal. Current antidotes include methemoglobinemia inducers (nitrites), sulfur donators (thiosulfate), and hydroxocobalamin. Each has risks and benefits that must be considered. Three new potential antidotes, including sodium tetrathionate, have recently been evaluated in swine models.
Intramuscular sodium tetrathionate1
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Hendry-Hofer TB, Witeof AE, Ng PC, et al. Intramuscular sodium tetrathionate as an antidote in a clinically relevant swine model of acute cyanide toxicity. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2019;105:1-7. doi:10.1080/15563650.2019.1602272.