Sodium nitrite toxicity
Background
- Sodium Nitrite is an inorganic compound composed of a sodium (Na) bonded to a nitrite (NO2) group[1]
- High-purity sodium nitrite is a highly water-soluble, yellowish-white powder[1]
- It has many uses across multiple industries, including as a food additive
- Sodium nitrite also has some medical use as an antidote to certain toxidromes.
- Recent toxicology and suicidology literature has described a trend of suicides by poisoning with sodium nitrite.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
- It may be a component of "Suicide kits" which can be ordered online.
- Within the body, sodium nitrite is a powerful oxidizer, causing severe methemoglobinemia
Differential Diagnosis
- Consider alternative causes of Methemoglobinemia
Diagnosis
- Clinical diagnosis of Sodium nitrite toxicity should be made based on presence of Methemoglobinemia and contextual clues suggesting suicidality or possible exposure to sodium nitrite
Management and Disposition
- See Methemoglobinemia for general principles of medical management
- Contact POISON CONTROL or consult toxicology for additional assistance
- Consider behavioral health consultation for suicidality
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_nitrite
- ↑ Smith EM. Sodium nitrite suicide and social media influence. Nursing. 2023;53(12):44-47. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000991568.99431.13
- ↑ Smith EM. Sodium nitrite suicide and social media influence. Nursing. 2023;53(12):44-47. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000991568.99431.13
- ↑ Mazzini E, Feola A, Fracassi I, et al. Suicide by sodium nitrite ingestion: a systematic review. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. Published online August 30, 2025. doi:10.1007/s12024-025-01066-9
- ↑ Bloom J, Sharpe A, Nulman S, et al. Comparing Confirmed Sodium Nitrite Suicide Deaths With Poison Center Surveillance Estimates. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(9):e2434192. Published 2024 Sep 3. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.34192
- ↑ Khan H, Barber C, Azrael D. Suicide by sodium nitrite poisoning: Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2018-2020. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2024;54(2):310-316. doi:10.1111/sltb.13043
- ↑ Yoon JC, Kim SE. Suicide attempt using sodium nitrite ordered on the internet: Two case reports. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(28):e29355. Published 2022 Jul 15. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000029355
- ↑ Loiseau M, Matheux A, Sabini S, et al. Suicide of an adolescent girl with sodium nitrite ordered on the internet. J Forensic Sci. 2023;68(6):2200-2204. doi:10.1111/1556-4029.15350