Cyanokit

Generic name:hydroxocobalamin (injection) [ hye-DROX-o-koe-BAL-a-min ]
Brand names: Cyanokit, Hydroxocobalamin
Drug class:Vitamins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 24, 2022.

What is Cyanokit?

Cyanokit contains hydroxocobalamin, a form of vitamin B-12. It is used as an antidote to cyanide poisoning. Hydroxocobalamin 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 not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

If possible before you receive Cyanokit, tell your caregivers if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, congestive heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

Also tell your caregivers if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to hydroxocobalamin, Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin (Nascobal, Cobolin, Cyomin, and others).

In an emergency situation it may not be possible before you are treated to tell your caregivers about your health conditions or if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows that you have received Cyanokit.

Cyanokit can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently received a Cyanokit injection. You may develop an acne-like skin rash within 1 to 4 weeks after you are treated with this medicine. This rash should go away without treatment. Call your doctor if you have a rash that lasts longer than 4 weeks. If your skin turns red after receiving this medication, avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Cyanokit can make you sunburn more easily while your skin is still red. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) until your skin color returns to normal.

Before receiving Cyanokit

If possible before you receive Cyanokit, tell your caregivers if you have:

• high blood pressure;

• heart disease;

• congestive heart failure;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or

• if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to hydroxocobalamin, Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin (Nascobal, Cobolin, Cyomin, and others).

FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Cyanokit will harm an unborn baby. However, the benefits of treating cyanide poisoning may outweigh any risks posed by Cyanokit, for both you and your baby. It is not known whether hydroxocobalamin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed after you have been treated with Cyanokit. In an emergency situation, it may not be possible before you are treated with this medicine to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.