Nitroprusside, antihypertensive drug and analytical reagent. Review of (photo)stability, pharmacology and analytical properties.

A review of physical, chemical, analytical and pharmacological properties of nitroprusside is presented. In view of the pharmaceutical applications of nitroprusside special attention is given to the discussion of the (photo)degradation, the stability of the pharmaceutical formulations, the application as a reagent in pharmaceutical analysis and the redox behaviour.