Survival after self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite: A case report

Abstract Sodium nitrite ingestion poses a considerable public health threat. The incidence of sodium nitrite self‐poisoning in the United States has been trending upward since 2017. Our case report describes an intentional sodium nitrite ingestion with favorable outcomes. We highlight the proper tre...

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Main Authors: Adiba M. Matin, Eric T. Boie, Gregory P. Moore
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-04-01
Series:Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12702
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author Adiba M. Matin
Eric T. Boie
Gregory P. Moore
author_facet Adiba M. Matin
Eric T. Boie
Gregory P. Moore
author_sort Adiba M. Matin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Sodium nitrite ingestion poses a considerable public health threat. The incidence of sodium nitrite self‐poisoning in the United States has been trending upward since 2017. Our case report describes an intentional sodium nitrite ingestion with favorable outcomes. We highlight the proper treatment of this ingestion with intravenous methylene blue. Sodium nitrite is an oxidizing agent that is commonly found in processed meats, fish, and cheeses as a preservative, antimicrobial, and food coloring agent. It is an odorless, white crystalline powder that has been confused for table salt or granulated sugar. It has become more readily available in large quantities online. Unfortunately, online forums exist that detail how to dose sodium nitrite for suicide. Furthermore, it has been recently discussed in popular news streams after a celebrity died of an overdose. Sodium nitrite toxicity is capable of causing severe methemoglobinemia with high mortality. Prompt identification is crucial. We discuss the important implications in regard to media coverage, imitative suicide, and accessibility of sodium nitrite.
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series Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open
spelling doaj-art-d738a1d54cd54643bedcce0de605d9ce2025-08-20T02:04:01ZengElsevierJournal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open2688-11522022-04-0132n/an/a10.1002/emp2.12702Survival after self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite: A case reportAdiba M. Matin0Eric T. Boie1Gregory P. Moore2Department of Emergency Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USADepartment of Emergency Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USADepartment of Emergency Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USAAbstract Sodium nitrite ingestion poses a considerable public health threat. The incidence of sodium nitrite self‐poisoning in the United States has been trending upward since 2017. Our case report describes an intentional sodium nitrite ingestion with favorable outcomes. We highlight the proper treatment of this ingestion with intravenous methylene blue. Sodium nitrite is an oxidizing agent that is commonly found in processed meats, fish, and cheeses as a preservative, antimicrobial, and food coloring agent. It is an odorless, white crystalline powder that has been confused for table salt or granulated sugar. It has become more readily available in large quantities online. Unfortunately, online forums exist that detail how to dose sodium nitrite for suicide. Furthermore, it has been recently discussed in popular news streams after a celebrity died of an overdose. Sodium nitrite toxicity is capable of causing severe methemoglobinemia with high mortality. Prompt identification is crucial. We discuss the important implications in regard to media coverage, imitative suicide, and accessibility of sodium nitrite.https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12702ingestionmethemoglobinemiapoisoningsodium nitritetoxicology
spellingShingle Adiba M. Matin
Eric T. Boie
Gregory P. Moore
Survival after self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite: A case report
Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open
ingestion
methemoglobinemia
poisoning
sodium nitrite
toxicology
title Survival after self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite: A case report
title_full Survival after self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite: A case report
title_fullStr Survival after self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite: A case report
title_full_unstemmed Survival after self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite: A case report
title_short Survival after self‐poisoning with sodium nitrite: A case report
title_sort survival after self poisoning with sodium nitrite a case report
topic ingestion
methemoglobinemia
poisoning
sodium nitrite
toxicology
url https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12702
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