Indications and usage▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Sodium Thiosulfate Injection is indicated for sequential use with sodium nitrite for the treatment of acute cyanide poisoning that is judged to be serious or life-threatening. When the diagnosis of cyanide poisoning is uncertain, the potential risks associated with Sodium Thiosulfate Injection should be carefully weighed against the potential benefits, especially if the patient is not in extremis. Sodium Thiosulfate Injection, an antidote, is indicated for sequential use with sodium nitrite for treatment of acute cyanide poisoning that is judged to be serious or life-threatening. ( 1 ) Use with caution if the diagnosis of cyanide poisoning is uncertain. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration▾
2. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION If clinical suspicion of cyanide poisoning is high, administer Sodium Thiosulfate Injection without delay and in conjunction with appropriate airway, ventilatory, and circulatory support. ( 2.1 ) The expert advice of a regional poison control center may be obtained by calling 1-800-222-1222. ( 2.1 ) Dosing : Age Intravenous Dose of Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Thiosulfate Adults 1.) Sodium Nitrite -10 mL of sodium nitrite at the rate of 2.5 to 5 mL/minute 2.) Sodium Thiosulfate - 50 mL of sodium thiosulfate immediately following administration of sodium nitrite. Children 1.) Sodium Nitrite - 0.2 mL/kg (6 mg/kg or 6-8 mL/m 2 BSA) of sodium nitrite at the rate of 2.5 to 5 mL/minute not to exceed 10 mL 2.) Sodium Thiosulfate - 1 mL/kg of body weight (250 mg/kg or approximately 30-40 mL/m 2 of BSA) not to exceed 50 mL total dose immediately following administration of sodium nitrite. Redosing : If signs of cyanide poisoning reappear, repeat treatment using one-half the original dose of both sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate. ( 2.2 ) Monitoring : Blood pressure must be monitored during treatment. ( 2.2 ) Sodium thiosulfate is chemically incompatible with hydroxocobalamin and should not be administered via the same intravenous line. (2.4) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions If clinical suspicion of cyanide poisoning is high, administer Sodium Thiosulfate Injection without delay. Comprehensive treatment of acute cyanide intoxication requires support of vital functions. Administration of sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate should be considered adjunctive to appropriate supportive therapies. Airway, ventilatory and circulatory support, and oxygen administration should not be delayed in order to administer sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . The expert advice of a regional poison control center may be obtained by calling 1-800-222-1222. Identifying Patients with Cyanide Poisoning Cyanide poisoning may result from inhalation, ingestion, or dermal exposure to various cyanide-containing compounds, including smoke from closed-space fires. Sources of cyanide poisoning include hydrogen cyanide and its salts, cyanogenic plants, aliphatic nitriles, and prolonged exposure to sodium nitroprusside. The presence and extent of cyanide poisoning are often initially unknown. There is no widely available, rapid, confirmatory cyanide blood test. Treatment decisions must be made on the basis of clinical history and signs and symptoms of cyanide intoxication. Table 1. Common Signs and Symptoms of Cyanide Poisoning Symptoms Signs Headache Confusion Dyspnea Chest Tightness Nausea Altered Mental Status (e.g., confusion, disorientation) Seizures or Coma Mydriasis Tachypnea/Hyperpnea (early) Bradypnea/Apnea (late) Hypertension (early)/ Hypotension (late) Cardiovascular Collapse Vomiting Plasma Lactate Concentration ≥ 8 mmol/L In some settings, panic symptoms including tachypnea and vomiting may mimic early cyanide poisoning signs. The presence of altered mental status (e.g., confusion and disorientation) and/or mydriasis is suggestive of true cyanide poisoning although these signs can occur with other toxic exposures as well. Smoke Inhalation Not all smoke inhalation victims will have cyanide poisoning and may present with burns, trauma, and exposure to other toxic substances making a diagnosis of cyanide poisoning particularly difficult. Prior to administration of Sodium Thiosulfate Injection, smoke-inhalation victims should be assessed for the following: Exposure to fire or smoke in an enclosed area Presence of soot around the mouth, nose, or oropharynx Altered mental status Although hypotension is highly suggestive of cyanide poisoning, it is only present in a small percentage of cyanide-poisoned smoke inhalation victims. Also indicative of cyanide poisoning is a plasma lactate concentration greater than or equal to 10 mmol/L (a value higher than that typically listed in the table of signs and symptoms of isolated cyanide poisoning because carbon monoxide associated with smoke inhalation also contributes to lactic acidemia). If cyanide poisoning is suspected, treatment should not be delayed in order to obtain a plasma lactate concentration. Use with Other Cyanide Antidotes The safety of administering other cyanide antidotes simultaneously with Sodium Thiosulfate Injection has not been established. If a decision is made to administer another cyanide antidote with Sodium Thiosulfate Injection, these drugs should not be administered concurrently in the same intravenous (IV) line. [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] 2.2 Recommended Dosing Sodium Nitrite Injection and Sodium Thiosulfate Injection are administered by slow intravenous injection. They should be given as early as possible after a diagnosis of acute life-threatening cyanide poisoning has been established. Sodium nitrite should be administered first, followed immediately by sodium thiosulfate. Blood pressure must be monitored during infusion in both adults and children. The rate of infusion should be decreased if significant hypotension is noted. Age Intravenous Dose of Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Thiosulfate Adults 1.) Sodium Nitrite -10 mL of sodium nitrite at the rate of 2.5 to 5 mL/minute 2.) Sodium Thiosulfate - 50 mL of sodium thiosulfate immediately following administration of sodium nitrite. Children 1.) Sodium Nitrite - 0.2 mL/kg (6 mg/kg or 6-8 mL/m 2 BSA) of sodium nitrite at the rate of 2.5 to 5 mL/minute not to exceed 10 mL 2.) Sodium Thiosulfate - 1 mL/kg of body weight (250 mg/kg or approximately 30-40 mL/m 2 of BSA) not to exceed 50 mL total dose immediately following administration of sodium nitrite. NOTE: If signs of poisoning reappear, repeat treatment using one-half the original dose of both sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate. In adult and pediatric patients with known anemia, it is recommended that the dosage of sodium nitrite should be reduced proportionately to the hemoglobin concentration. Visually inspect all parenteral drug products for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. 2.3 Recommended Monitoring Patients should be monitored for at least 24-48 hours after Sodium Thiosulfate Injection administration for adequacy of oxygenation and perfusion and for recurrent signs and symptoms of cyanide toxicity. When possible, obtain hemoglobin/hematocrit when treatment is initiated. Measurements of oxygen saturation using standard pulse oximetry and calculated oxygen saturation values based on measured PO 2 are unreliable in the presence of methemoglobinemia. 2.4 Incompatibility Information Chemical incompatibility has been reported between Sodium Thiosulfate Injection and hydroxocobalamin and these drugs should not be administered simultaneously through the same IV line. No chemical incompatibility has been reported between sodium thiosulfate and sodium nitrite, when administered sequentially through the same IV line as described in Dosage and Administration. Simultaneous administration of Sodium Thiosulfate Injection and blood products (whole blood, packed red cells, platelet concentrate and/or fresh frozen plasma) through the same intravenous line is not recommended. However, blood products and Sodium Thiosulfate Injection can be administered simultaneously using separate intravenous lines (preferably on contralateral extremities, if peripheral lines are being used).
Contraindications▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None None. ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Sulfites: Sodium thiosulfate may contain trace impurities of sodium sulfite ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Sulfites Sodium thiosulfate drug product may contain trace impurities of sodium sulfite. The presence of a trace amount of sulfites in this product should not deter administration of the drug for treatment of emergency situations, even if the patient is sulfite-sensitive.
Drug interactions▾
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Formal drug interaction studies have not been conducted with Sodium Thiosulfate Injection.
Adverse reactions▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS There have been no controlled clinical trials conducted to systematically assess the adverse events profile of sodium thiosulfate. The medical literature has reported the following adverse events in association with sodium thiosulfate administration. These adverse events were not reported in the context of controlled trials or with consistent monitoring and reporting methodologies for adverse events. Therefore, frequency of occurrence of these adverse events cannot be assessed. Cardiovascular system: hypotension Central nervous system: headache, disorientation Gastrointestinal system: nausea, vomiting Hematological : prolonged bleeding time Body as a Whole: salty taste in mouth, warm sensation over body In humans, rapid administration of concentrated solutions or solutions not freshly prepared, and administration of large doses of sodium thiosulfate have been associated with a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting. However, administration of 0.1 g sodium thiosulfate per pound up to a maximum of 15 g in a 10-15% solution over 10-15 minutes was associated with nausea and vomiting in 7 of 26 patients without concomitant cyanide intoxication. In a series of 11 human subjects, a single intravenous infusion of 50 mL of 50% sodium thiosulfate was associated with increases in clotting time 1-3 days after administration. However, no significant changes were observed in other hematological parameters. Most common adverse reactions are: Hypotension, headache, disorientation ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hope Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-755-9595 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
Use in pregnancy▾
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on Sodium Thiosulfate Injection use in pregnant women to establish a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. There are risks to the pregnant woman and fetus associated with untreated cyanide poisoning (see Clinical Considerations ). Therefore, if a pregnant woman has known or suspected cyanide poisoning, Sodium Thiosulfate Injection for sequential use with sodium nitrite is recommended [see Indications and Usage (1) ] . In published animal studies, no evidence of embryotoxicity or malformations was reported when sodium thiosulfate was administered during organogenesis to pregnant mice, rats, hamsters, or rats at 0.2 to 0.9 times the human daily dose of 12.5 g for cyanide poisoning. The studies did not test doses that were comparable to the human dose for cyanide poisoning (see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Cyanide readily crosses the placenta. Cyanide poisoning is a medical emergency in pregnancy, which can be fatal for the pregnant woman and fetus if left untreated. Life-sustaining therapy should not be withheld due to pregnancy. Data Animal Data: No malformations or evidence of embryo-fetal toxicity were noted when pregnant mice, rats, hamsters, or rabbits were administered oral doses of sodium thiosulfate of up to 550, 400, 400, or 580 mg/kg, respectively during organogenesis (0.2, 0.3, 0.26, and 0.9 times the human dose of 12.5 g/60 kg person for cyanide poisoning based on body surface area). Published studies suggest that treatment with sodium thiosulfate ameliorates the teratogenic effects of maternal cyanide poisoning in hamsters.
Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.