Nitroprusside Sodium
Nipride (sodium nitroprusside) is a potent, rapid-acting vasodilator used primarily in hospital settings to treat severe hypertensive emergencies and to induce controlled hypotension during surgical procedures. It works by releasing nitric oxide, which relaxes smooth muscle in blood vessel walls, thereby reducing blood pressure and decreasing the heart's workload.
Nipride is an intravenous vasodilator used in acute care settings for rapid blood pressure control in emergencies and during surgery.
Key facts at a glance
- RxNorm
- 1876369
- Generic
- Nipride
- Class
- brand-name
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- —
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Nipride is indicated for the immediate reduction of blood pressure in hypertensive emergencies, for producing controlled hypotension during surgical procedures to reduce bleeding, and for the management of acute heart failure when immediate reduction of afterload is needed.
Nipride is a direct-acting vasodilator that works by releasing nitric oxide, which activates guanylate cyclase in vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to increased cGMP and subsequent relaxation of smooth muscle. This causes dilation of both arteries and veins, reducing peripheral vascular resistance and lowering blood pressure.
Nipride must be administered intravenously in an acute care setting with continuous hemodynamic monitoring due to its rapid onset and short duration of action. It can cause cyanide toxicity with prolonged use, particularly in patients with renal impairment, and should not be used to treat compensatory hypertension (e.g., due to aortic coarctation).
Official drug label
WellAlly may earn a referral fee from linked resources at no extra cost to you. Editorial content is never influenced by commercial relationships.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy