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Sodium Nitrite Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects of sodium nitrite include completed suicide, methaemoglobinaemia, and toxicity to various agents, based on 54 FDA adverse event reports from 2006 to 2025. 9.3% of reports found the drug to be ineffective.

Sodium Nitrite side effects

Percentages show how often each reaction appears relative to total reports for sodium nitrite.

1
Completed Suicide46.3%25
2
Methaemoglobinaemia25.9%14
3
Toxicity To Various Agents22.2%12
4
Suicide Attempt13.0%7
5
Overdose13.0%7
6
Cardiac Arrest11.1%6
7
Drug Ineffective9.3%5
8
Cyanosis9.3%5
9
Anoxia7.4%4
10
Brain Oedema7.4%4
11
Hypoxia7.4%4
12
Cardio-respiratory Arrest5.6%3
13
Respiratory Arrest5.6%3
14
Coma5.6%3
15
Pulmonary Haemorrhage5.6%3

These are voluntary reports and do not establish that sodium nitrite caused these reactions.

Report severity

98.1%Serious53 reports
37.0%Hospitalizations20 reports
68.5%Fatal37 reports

Seriousness is determined by the reporter, not by OpenClaim.

Sodium Nitrite drug interactions

Other drugs that appear in adverse event reports alongside sodium nitrite. Drugs flagged as a suspected cause appear in the first column. Drugs taken at the same time but not suspected appear in the second.

Also suspected

1
Metoclopramide-hydrochloride24.1%13
2
Fluoxetine-hydrochloride16.7%9
3
Ibuprofen13.0%7
4
Methylene-blue11.1%6
5
Alcohol11.1%6
6
Quetiapine-fumarate7.4%4
7
Escitalopram-oxalate7.4%4
8
Diphenhydramine7.4%4
9
Venlafaxine7.4%4
10
Bupropion7.4%4
11
Famotidine7.4%4
12
Lorazepam5.6%3
13
Clonazepam5.6%3
14
Aripiprazole5.6%3
15
Hydroxyzine5.6%3

Taken alongside

1
Epinephrine5.6%3
2
Aspirin3.7%2
3
Lorazepam3.7%2
4
Digoxin1.9%1
5
Enalapril-maleate1.9%1
6
Losartan-potassium1.9%1
7
Omeprazole1.9%1
8
Terazosin-hydrochloride1.9%1
9
Sodium-citrate1.9%1
10
Indapamide1.9%1
11
Bevacizumab1.9%1
12
Docetaxel1.9%1
13
Thalidomide1.9%1
14
Prednisone1.9%1
15
Calcium1.9%1

Co-occurrence in adverse event reports does not establish a drug interaction. Patients often take multiple medications, and these lists reflect prescribing patterns rather than causal relationships. Consult a healthcare provider about potential drug interactions.

Who reports sodium nitrite side effects

35.2% of sodium nitrite adverse event reports involve female patients and 53.7% involve male patients. The largest age group is adult at 81%. These figures reflect who reports side effects, not underlying risk.

Sex

Female35.2%
Male53.7%
Unknown11.1%

Age group

< 20.0%
2–110.0%
12–1714.9%
18–6480.9%
65+4.3%

What is sodium nitrite used for

Conditions and purposes for which patients were taking sodium nitrite when the adverse event was reported.

Completed SuicideProduct Used For Unknown IndicationProduct Used For Unknown IndicationSuicide AttemptSuicide Attempt

Sodium Nitrite brand names and reporting trend

Sodium Nitrite is sold under the brand name Nithiodote.

Brand names

Nithiodote63

Quarterly reports (20062025)

200620202025

An upward trend reflects increased FAERS reporting overall, not necessarily increased risk.

Taking sodium nitrite with another medication?

Ask OpenClaim about your specific drug combination. Get a sourced report using FDA data, drug labels, and medical literature.