What is Cyanokit?
Cyanokit includes hydroxocobalamin, which is an ingredient in vitamin B-12. It's an antidote against cyanide poisoning. Hydroxocobalamin is a drug that helps cells in the body convert cyanide into a form that is removed from the body via urination.
Cyanokit is a treatment used in emergencies to treat poisoning with cyanide. The poisoning could be experienced if you're exposed to the smoke of a home or industrial flame, if you breathe in or swallow the poison, or if you receive cyanide on the skin. Cyanokit could be used for other purposes that are not mentioned in this guide.
Warnings
If you can before receiving Cyanokit, inform your healthcare providers that you suffer from high blood pressure or cardiac disease, congestive malfunction, liver illness, and kidney diseases (or when you are on dialysis). Inform your healthcare providers whether you've ever experienced an extreme reaction to hydroxocobalamin, Vitamin B12, or Cyocobalamin (Nascobal, Cobolin, Cyomin, and many others).
In a situation of emergency, it might not be feasible until you are seen to inform your medical professionals about your medical conditions or if you're breastfeeding or pregnant. It is important that the doctor who cares for you post-surgery knows you've been prescribed Cyanokit.
Cyanokit can produce unusual results when testing for certain medical conditions. Be sure to inform any doctor treating you that you recently had a Cyanokit injection. You could suffer from an acne-like rash in the first to four weeks following treatment with this drug. This rash should disappear without treatment. Consult your doctor if you are suffering from a rash that persists for more than four weeks. If your skin becomes red following the use of this medicine, you should avoid exposure to the sun or sunbeds. Cyanokit could make you more susceptible to sunburn, even though your skin remains red. Make sure you wear protective attire and sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) until the color of your skin is back to normal.
Prior to use this drug
If you can, before receiving Cyanokit, inform your caregivers whether you suffer from:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease;
- Congestive heart failure;
- Liver disease;
- Kidney problems (or if you're on dialysis) or
- If you've ever experienced extreme hypersensitivity to hydroxocobalamin Vitamin B12 or cyanocobalamin (Nascobal, Cobolin, Cyomin, and more),
The FDA classification for pregnant women is C. Inform your doctor if you are expecting. It is unclear if Cyanokit can harm an unborn baby. However, the advantages of treating cyanide poisoning could surpass any risk posed by cyanokit, both for you and your child. It's not clear if hydroxocobalamin is absorbed into breast milk or whether it can harm nursing babies. It is not recommended to breastfeed after treatment with Cyanokit. In a situation of emergency, it may not be possible prior to being treated with this medication to inform your medical professionals if you're nursing or pregnant. Be sure that any doctor who cares for your baby or is pregnant is aware that you've received this medication.
Similar/related drugs
Cyanocobalamin, Vitamin B12, hydroxocobalamin, amyl amyl, Dodex, Neuroforte-R, and sodium thiosulfate
How to take Cyanokit?
Cyanokit is injectable into a vein via an IV. It is administered in a hospital or clinic setting. Cyanokit is administered slowly, and the IV infusion may take up to 15 minutes to finish. Cyanokit is typically only given once. It is possible to get a second dose if you require it. Your blood pressure, breathing, heart function, and oxygen levels, as well as other vital signs, are closely monitored during the time you receive Cyanokit. This medication may cause unexpected results when you undergo certain tests. Be sure to inform any doctor treating you that you recently had an injection of Cyanokit.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Since Cyanokit can be administered by a medical professional in an emergency, it is unlikely to skip a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Since Cyanokit can only be administered by a medical specialist in a medical setting, there is no risk of an overdose occurring.
What should be avoided?
If your skin is red following treatment Avoid exposure to the sun or sunbeds. Cyanokit could make you more susceptible to sunburn, even though your skin remains red. Protect your skin with protective clothes and sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) until the color of your skin gets back to normal.
Side effects of Cyanokit
See a doctor immediately. If you notice any of these symptoms that indicate an allergy reaction with Cyanokit, such as symptoms of hives, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your mouth, lips, or throat, It is possible to develop an acne-like skin rash in one to four weeks after treatment with Cyanokit. The rash should disappear without treatment. Consult your doctor if you notice a rash that lasts more than 4 weeks. Contact your doctor immediately in case you experience an extremely serious side effect, like:
- Blood that is bright red in your stool
- Chest pain, rapid or irregular heart rate
- Intense breathlessness and wheezing. It is accompanied by breathing heavily and coughing with mucusy foam.
- Swelling of your feet or ankles;
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you've passed out or
- Extremely high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, hearing buzzing and confusion, anxiety and chest discomfort, breathlessness, irregular heartbeats, seizures).
The most common Cyanokit-related side effects are:
- Nausea;
- Headache;
- Acne, skin rash, or redness
- Urine that is colored red (may last between 2 and 5 weeks) and
- Discomfort, swelling, or irritation on your skin where the injection was made
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
There are other medications that may interfere with Cyanokit. Inform your doctor of any medications you take. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter vitamins, and herbal products. Do not begin any new medication without first talking to your physician.
