Amyl nitrite
Amyl Nitrite is a chemical compound with the formula C5H11ONO. It is a part of the alkyl nitrite family and is primarily used as a reagent in organic synthesis. Amyl nitrite is also used for the treatment of angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "Amyl Nitrite" is derived from the Greek word "amylon," which means 'starch,' and the Latin word "nitrum." This is due to the fact that amyl nitrite was first produced by the dry distillation of starch and nitric acid.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
Amyl nitrite is used in medicine for the treatment of heart diseases such as angina and as an antidote to cyanide poisoning. It works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload. When inhaled, the onset of effect is almost immediate, but the duration is short (about 2-3 minutes).
Related Compounds[edit | edit source]
Amyl nitrite is related to other nitrites and nitrates including sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, and glyceryl trinitrate (also known as nitroglycerin), which are all used in medicine for the treatment of angina.
Safety[edit | edit source]
Inhaling amyl nitrite can cause various adverse effects including headaches, flushing of the face, decreased blood pressure, dizziness, and an increased heart rate. It is also a highly flammable liquid and vapor, and it can cause burns and serious eye damage.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Amyl nitrite Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD