Case Report

New Trend for Suicide: Sodium Nitrite Intake

Volume: 47 Number: 3 September 30, 2025
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Cumhuriyet Medical Journal
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New Trend for Suicide: Sodium Nitrite Intake

Abstract

Sodium nitrite is an agent used as both a food preservative and an antimicrobial agent, and it is easily accessible. When taken in high doses, it can be life-threatening due to its ability to cause methemoglobinemia. Our case report examines the intentional ingestion of sodium nitrite for suicidal purposes and discusses its clinical management. The patient was brought to the emergency room displaying symptoms of nausea, vomiting, hypoxemia, and peripheral cyanosis. Methemoglobinemia was detected in the blood gas, and the patient's relative confirmed the history of sodium nitrite ingestion. Supportive treatment was initiated until methylene blue was provided. Given its easy accessibility, sodium nitrite intoxication should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with intoxication and methemoglobinemia. Initiating methylene blue treatment as soon as possible is crucial for the patient's recovery prognosis.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

Does not require an ethical declaration.

Thanks

None

References

  1. 1. Cvetković D, Živković V, Lukić V. et al. Sodium nitrite food poisoning in one family. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2019; 15: 102–105.
  2. 2. Howland M. Nitrites (Amyl and Sodium) and Sodium Thiosulfate. In: Nelson LS, Howland M, Lewin NA, Smith SW, Goldfrank LR, Hoffman RS. eds. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 11e. McGraw-Hill Education; 2019. Accessed February 24, 2025.
  3. 3. Wright RO, Lewander WJ, Woolf AD. Methemoglobinemia: etiology, pharmacology, and clinical management. Ann Emerg Med. 1999;34(5):646-56.
  4. 4. Erickson TB, Thompson TM, Lu JJ. The approach to the patient with an unknown overdose. Emergency medicine clinics of North America, 2007;25(2), 249-281.
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  6. 6. Katabami K, Hayakawa M, Gando S. Severe methemoglobinemia due to sodium nitrite poisoning. Case reports in emergency medicine. 2016; (1): 9013816.
  7. 7. Padovano M, Aromatario M, D'Errico S, et al. Sodium Nitrite Intoxication and Death: Summarizing Evidence to Facilitate Diagnosis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(21):13996.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Medical Education

Journal Section

Case Report

Authors

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

May 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 22, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 47 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7197/cmj.1698412

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA73HB46JW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
AMA
1.Karahan T, Şahin L, Okan GN. New Trend for Suicide: Sodium Nitrite Intake. CMJ. 2025;47(3):43-46. doi:10.7197/cmj.1698412