Nitric Oxide Long-Term Effects

Nitric oxide, a gaseous drug, was developed for use in neonatal respiratory failure. Humans have nitric oxide receptors in many of our vascular tissues, including the mucous membranes of the sinuses, the lung capillaries and genital vascular tissue. This drug was used to increase overall infant oxygenation by increasing blood perfusion and oxygen exchange in the lungs. Documented effects were primarily short-term, and benefits quickly dissipated after treatment was discontinued.



Drug companies then began to market a longer-acting, orally administered drug for erectile dysfunction, recognizing that increased blood flow is necessary for an erection. Studies have also assessed nitric oxide's role in decreasing asthma attacks.



Recently, sports-nutrition and supplement companies have begun to market a version of nitric oxide to bodybuilders to increase energy and blood flow to accelerate muscle hypertrophy.



Lastly, some nutritional supplement companies have begun to sell the substance as an antidote to aging.

  1. Undesired Patient Conditions

    • For neonatal patients, "possible dose-related methemoglobinemia" occurs infrequently. Acquired methemoglobinemia is a blood disease that occurs when an abnormal amount of hemoglobin accumulates in the blood secondary to nitric oxide therapy. If not corrected in time, this condition can result in seizures, lifelong disabilities or death.

    Undesired Nursing Conditions

    • Some short-term side effects have been reported in neonatal medical and nursing staff members where gaseous nitric oxide is administered. These include hypotension, sepsis, infection, cellulitis, lung collapse, blood in urine, and hyperglycemia. In a very small population of caregivers, these symptoms have persisted after removal from the environment, requiring additional treatment.

    Desired Fitness Conditions

    • Nutritional supplement companies have marketed oral nitric oxide and a form of L-arginine for increasing overall energy. The medication's effects of increasing perfusion are also said to improve cardiovascular performance and increase blood flow to muscles while increasing oxygenation and removing lactic acid. The long-term effects are reported to be increased muscle mass, increased muscle definition, decreased body fat and improved cardiovascular fitness.

    Desired Health Conditions

    • For the older population, nitric oxide is marketed as an antidote to aging. Long-term effects would include improved cardiovascular health, improved skin radiance and a increase libido, among others cited. No controlled studies were found to document such claims.