Thiocyanates are a class of chemicals, not a single medication. They contain a sulfur-carbon-nitrogen group (SCN-) attached to another atom, often a metal. In the medical field, thiocyanates have a complex history:
- Historical Use: Potassium thiocyanate was once used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in the early 1900s. However, it was discontinued due to reported side effects, particularly risks to unborn babies.
- Current Use: Today, thiocyanates have no approved medical applications.
- Other Encounters:
- You might encounter references to ferrous thiocyanate, but it has no known medical use either.
- Thiocyanates are incidentally produced in the body after consuming certain foods like cassava. Normally, the body eliminates them efficiently.
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Thiocyanates