Provocation of latent left ventricular outflow tract gradient in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (off-label use): Nasal inhalation: 3 to 4 deep inhalations from 1 crushed ampul over a 10 to 15 second period (Ref). Note: The use of more physiologic testing (eg, Valsalva maneuver, treadmill testing with Doppler echocardiography) may be preferred over amyl nitrite inhalation (Ref).
Refer to adult dosing.
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.
Frequency not defined.
Cardiovascular: Facial flushing, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, tachycardia
Dermatologic: Diaphoresis, pallor
Gastrointestinal: Fecal incontinence, nausea, vomiting
Genitourinary: Urinary incontinence
Nervous system: Asthenia, cerebral ischemia, dizziness, headache, restlessness
Glaucoma; recent head trauma or cerebral hemorrhage; pregnancy.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Hypotension: Amyl nitrite may cause severe hypotension; serious adverse effects may occur at doses less than the recommended therapeutic dose. Monitor for adequate perfusion and oxygenation; ensure patient is euvolemic. Use with caution in patients with preexisting diminished oxygen or cardiovascular reserve (eg, anemia, substantial blood loss, cardiac or respiratory compromise) and in patients who may be susceptible to injury from vasodilation.
• Methemoglobinemia: Amyl nitrite may cause methemoglobin formation resulting in diminished oxygen-carrying capacity; serious adverse effects may occur at doses less than the recommended therapeutic dose. Monitor for adequate perfusion and oxygenation. Use with caution in patients with preexisting diminished oxygen or cardiovascular reserve (eg, anemia, substantial blood loss, cardiac or respiratory compromise) and in patients at greater risk for developing methemoglobinemia (eg, congenital methemoglobin reductase deficiency). Use with caution with concomitant medications known to cause methemoglobinemia (eg, nitroglycerin, phenazopyridine).
Disease-related concerns:
• Aortic stenosis: Use with extreme caution or avoid in patients with severe aortic stenosis; may reduce coronary perfusion resulting in ischemia; considered by some to be a contraindication (Wesley Reagan 2005).
• Cardiovascular disease: Use with caution in patients with coronary artery disease and patients with hypotension. Transient episodes of dizziness, weakness, syncope, and cerebral ischemia secondary to postural hypotension may occur.
• Increased intracranial pressure: Use with caution in patients with increased intracranial pressure; use is contraindicated in patient with recent head trauma or cerebral hemorrhage.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Liquid, for inhalation: USP: 85% to 103% (0.3 mL)
Yes
Solution (Amyl Nitrite Inhalation)
0.3 mL (1): $0.63
Disclaimer: The pricing data provided represent a median AWP and/or AAWP price for the brand and/or generic product, respectively. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used to set or adjudicate any prices for charging or reimbursement functions. Pricing data is updated monthly.
Inhalation: Administer nasally via inhalation. The patient should be lying down during administration. Crush the ampul in a gauze pad and place in front of patient's mouth. One ampul lasts for ~3 minutes.
Provocation of latent left ventricular outflow tract gradient in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) includes this medication among its list of drugs (contraindicated in pregnancy) which have a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when used in error (High-Alert Medications in Community/Ambulatory Care Settings).
None known.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Alfuzosin: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Amifostine: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase hypotensive effects of Amifostine. Management: When used at chemotherapy doses, hold blood pressure lowering medications for 24 hours before amifostine administration. If blood pressure lowering therapy cannot be held, do not administer amifostine. Use caution with radiotherapy doses of amifostine. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Amisulpride (Oral): May increase hypotensive effects of Hypotension-Associated Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]): Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase hypotensive effects of Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]). Risk C: Monitor
Arginine: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Barbiturates: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Benperidol: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Blood Pressure Lowering Agents: May increase hypotensive effects of Hypotension-Associated Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Brimonidine (Topical): May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Bromperidol: May decrease hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase hypotensive effects of Bromperidol. Risk X: Avoid
Dapsone (Topical): May increase adverse/toxic effects of Methemoglobinemia Associated Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Diazoxide: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
DULoxetine: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase hypotensive effects of DULoxetine. Risk C: Monitor
Herbal Products with Blood Pressure Lowering Effects: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Hypotension-Associated Agents: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase hypotensive effects of Hypotension-Associated Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Iloperidone: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Levodopa-Foslevodopa: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase hypotensive effects of Levodopa-Foslevodopa. Risk C: Monitor
Local Anesthetics: Methemoglobinemia Associated Agents may increase adverse/toxic effects of Local Anesthetics. Specifically, the risk for methemoglobinemia may be increased. Risk C: Monitor
Lormetazepam: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Metergoline: May decrease antihypertensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase orthostatic hypotensive effects of Metergoline. Risk C: Monitor
Molsidomine: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Naftopidil: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Nicergoline: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Nicorandil: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Nitric Oxide: May increase adverse/toxic effects of Methemoglobinemia Associated Agents. Combinations of these agents may increase the likelihood of significant methemoglobinemia. Risk C: Monitor
Nitroprusside: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase hypotensive effects of Nitroprusside. Risk C: Monitor
Obinutuzumab: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Management: Consider temporarily withholding blood pressure lowering medications beginning 12 hours prior to obinutuzumab infusion and continuing until 1 hour after the end of the infusion. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Pentoxifylline: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Pholcodine: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may increase hypotensive effects of Pholcodine. Risk C: Monitor
Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors: May increase vasodilatory effects of Amyl Nitrite. Risk X: Avoid
Prilocaine: Methemoglobinemia Associated Agents may increase adverse/toxic effects of Prilocaine. Combinations of these agents may increase the likelihood of significant methemoglobinemia. Management: Monitor for signs of methemoglobinemia when prilocaine is used in combination with other agents associated with development of methemoglobinemia. Avoid use of these agents with prilocaine/lidocaine cream in infants less than 12 months of age. Risk C: Monitor
Primaquine: Methemoglobinemia Associated Agents may increase adverse/toxic effects of Primaquine. Specifically, the risk for methemoglobinemia may be increased. Management: Avoid concomitant use of primaquine and other drugs that are associated with methemoglobinemia when possible. If combined, monitor methemoglobin levels closely. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Prostacyclin Analogues: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Quinagolide: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Riociguat: Amyl Nitrite may increase hypotensive effects of Riociguat. Risk X: Avoid
Silodosin: May increase hypotensive effects of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Sodium Nitrite: Methemoglobinemia Associated Agents may increase adverse/toxic effects of Sodium Nitrite. Combinations of these agents may increase the likelihood of significant methemoglobinemia. Risk C: Monitor
Amyl nitrite significantly decreases systemic BP and blood flow to the placenta. Amyl nitrite may also cause methemoglobin formation resulting in diminished oxygen-carrying capacity; fetal hemoglobin may be more susceptible to excessive nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia (Valenzuela 1986).
Use in pregnancy is contraindicated for indications in the FDA-approved product labeling.
It is not known if amyl nitrite is present in breast milk.
The manufacturer recommends that caution be exercised when administering amyl nitrite to breastfeeding women.
Monitor BP and heart rate during therapy.
Relaxes vascular smooth muscle; decreases venous ratios and arterial BP; reduces left ventricular work; decreases myocardial O2 consumption.
Onset of action: Within 30 seconds.
Duration: 3 to 15 minutes; Pharmacologic provocation of latent left ventricular outflow tract gradient in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: ~30 seconds (Wesley Reagan 2005).
Absorption: Inhalation: Readily absorbed through respiratory tract.
Metabolism: In the liver to form inorganic nitrates (less potent).
Half-life elimination: Amyl nitrite: <1 hour; Methemoglobin: 1 hour.
Excretion: Urine (~33%).