Efficacy of hydroxocobalamin for the treatment of acute cyanide poisoning in adult beagle dogs

Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2006:44 Suppl 1:5-15. doi: 10.1080/15563650600811672.

Abstract

Introduction: The efficacy of hydroxocobalamin for acute cyanide poisoning was compared with that of saline vehicle in dogs.

Methods: Anesthetized adult beagle dogs were administered potassium cyanide (0.4 mg/kg/min, IV) until 3 min after the onset of apnea. Hydroxocobalamin (75 mg/kg [n = 19] or 150 mg/kg [n = 18], IV) or saline vehicle [n = 17] was then infused over 7.5 min while animals were ventilated with 100% oxygen, which was stopped after 15 min.

Results: In vehicle-treated animals cyanide produced deterioration that culminated in a moribund state requiring euthanasia within 4 h in 10 of 17 animals and in neurological deficits necessitating euthanasia within 2-4 d in an additional 4 animals (mortality rate 82%). Survival through 14 d was observed in 15 of 19 animals administered hydroxocobalamin 75 mg/kg (mortality rate 21%), and 18 of 18 administered hydroxocobalamin 150 mg/kg (mortality rate 0%).

Conclusion: Hydroxocobalamin reversed cyanide toxicity and reduced mortality in a canine model.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Antidotes / administration & dosage
  • Antidotes / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Pressure
  • Dogs
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Hydroxocobalamin / administration & dosage
  • Hydroxocobalamin / therapeutic use*
  • Lactic Acid / blood
  • Male
  • Models, Animal
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Poisoning / blood
  • Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Potassium Cyanide / blood
  • Potassium Cyanide / poisoning*
  • Random Allocation
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Sodium Chloride / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antidotes
  • Lactic Acid
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Potassium Cyanide
  • Hydroxocobalamin