Cyanokit
Generic Name: hydroxocobalamin (injection) (hye DROX o koe BAL a min)
What is the most important information I should know about Cyanokit?
Cyanokit is usually given in an emergency, so you may not have time to tell your caregivers about any drugs you take or medical conditions you have. However, you will need follow-up medical care after receiving this medication. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or congestive heart failure.
You may develop an acne-like skin rash from 1 week to as late as 4 weeks after you are treated with Cyanokit. This rash should go away without treatment. Call your doctor if you have a rash that does not clear up on its own.This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently received a Cyanokit injection.
What is Cyanokit?
Cyanokit is a form of vitamin B-12. It is used as an antidote to cyanide poisoning. Cyanokit works by helping cells in the body convert cyanide to a form that can be removed from the body through urination.
Cyanokit is used in an emergency to treat cyanide poisoning. This type of poisoning can occur if you are exposed to smoke from a house or industrial fire, if you swallow or breathe in cyanide, or if you get cyanide on your skin.
Cyanokit may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my health care provider after receiving Cyanokit?
Cyanokit is usually given in an emergency, so you may not have time to tell your caregivers about any medical conditions you have. However, you will need follow-up medical care after receiving this medication. Tell your doctor if you have:
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high blood pressure;
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heart disease; or
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congestive heart failure.
How should I take Cyanokit?
Cyanokit is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein, most often in an emergency situation. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take about 15 minutes to complete.
Cyanokit is usually given only once. However, you may receive a second dose if needed.
You may develop an acne-like skin rash from 1 week to as late as 4 weeks after you were treated with Cyanokit. This rash should go away without treatment. Call your doctor if you have a rash that does not clear up on its own.This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently received a Cyanokit injection.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Cyanokit is used in an emergency, you will most likely be given only one or two doses of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of Cyanokit is extremely unlikely.
What should I avoid while taking Cyanokit?
If your skin turns red after receiving this medication, avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Cyanokit can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.What are the possible side effects of Cyanokit?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:-
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
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fast or uneven heart rate;
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bright red blood in your stools; or
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swelling in your hands or feet.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
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red coloring of your skin or urine (this may last up to 2 weeks);
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
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acne, skin rash or itching;
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warmth or redness under your skin;
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dry throat, trouble swallowing;
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headache, dizziness, memory problems, restless feeling;
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pain, swelling, or irritation of your skin where the injection was given; or
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eye redness or irritation.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Cyanokit?
Cyanokit is usually given in an emergency, so you may not have time to tell your caregivers about any other medications you are using. However, you will need follow-up medical care after receiving Cyanokit. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor if you have recently be treated with Cyanokit.
Where can I get more information?
- Your doctor or pharmacist has information about Cyanokit written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Hydroxocobalamin is available with a prescription under the brand name Cyanokit. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum) is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.01. Revision Date: 1/13/07 3:55:37 PM.
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More Cyanokit resources:
Hydro-Cobex - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
Schilling Test, Transcobalamin II Deficiency, Vitamin B12 Deficiency
