Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), sold under the brand name Nitropress among others, is a medication used to lower blood pressure. This may be done if the blood pressure is very high and resulting in symptoms, in certain types of heart failure, and during surgery to decrease bleeding. It is used by continuous injection into a vein. Onset is nearly immediate and effects last for up to ten minutes. It has been known to cause reflex tachycardia. It is often used as the vasodilator of choice in acute, emergency situations. The pharmacological activation is in relation to the release of nitric oxide which occurs from sodium nitroprusside which serves to activate Sodium Guanylyl Cyclase. Common side effects include low blood pressure and cyanide toxicity. Other serious side effects include methemoglobinemia. It is not generally recommended during pregnancy due to concerns of side effects. High doses are not recommended for more than ten minutes. It works by increasing nitric oxide levels in the blood, which increases cGMP levels in cells, and causes dilation of blood vessels.Sodium nitroprusside was discovered as early as 1850 and found to be useful in medicine in 1928. It is on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines. Sodium nitroprusside is light sensitive, so it needs to be shielded from light to prevent degradation. Medical use
Sodium nitroprusside is intravenously infused in cases of acute hypertensive crises. Its effects are usually seen within a few minutes.Nitric oxide reduces both total peripheral resistance and venous return, thus decreasing both preload and afterload.
The Shope papilloma virus can cause rabbits to grow horns. This may have been the source of myths such as the Wolpertinger and the Jackalope. See also
Wart
Actinic keratosis
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis
List of cutaneous conditions

References
Further reading
Matthew Moore (2007-11-12). "Tree man who grew roots may be cured". London: Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2007-11-14. "Images of cutaneous horns". DermAtlas. Archived from the original on 2003-04-19. Retrieved 2007-11-14. DiClaudio, Dennis (2006) "The Hypochondriacs Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have", Bloomsbury Publishing, ISBN 978-1-59691-061-4


== External links ==