What is Sodium Nitrite used for?

Sodium Nitrite is indicated for: Cyanide poisoning (non-smoke inhalation).

Which species have cited Sodium Nitrite dosing data?

Sodium Nitrite dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 1 species: Dog (Domestic).

Is Sodium Nitrite a controlled substance?

Sodium Nitrite is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Sodium Nitrite

US brand names:Nithiodote(component)

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Sodium Nitrite is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg IV Single slow IV dose in dogs, per Hoareau G. Smoke inhalation. Presented at: Pacific Veterinary Conferences; 2016. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1193 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.1193' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.1166; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.1166. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antidote

Routes

Indications

Cyanide poisoning (non-smoke inhalation)

Mechanism of Action

Oxidizes hemoglobin to methemoglobin, which has high affinity for cyanide, forming cyanmethemoglobin and freeing cytochrome oxidase. Combined with sodium thiosulfate.

Side effects & warnings

Creates controlled methemoglobinemia — dangerous if overdosed. Monitor methemoglobin levels. Do not use in smoke inhalation (already elevated carboxyhemoglobin).

Species with Sodium Nitrite dosing data (1 dose rule)

Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 1 dose rule

Moderate×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by a published source

· Hoareau G. Smoke inhalation. Presented at: Pacific Veterinary Conferences; 2016. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1193 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.1193' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.1166; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.1166. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

Sample dosing (1 of 1 cited rule)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 1 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	10–20 mg/kg	Single slow IV dose	Moderate	Hoareau G. Smoke inhalation. Presented at: Pacific Veterinary Conferences; 2016. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1193 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.1193' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.1166; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.1166. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207

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