As noted above, cyanide is metabolized by the enzyme rhodanese to a less toxic metabolite, thiocyanate, which is renally eliminated. However, this metabolic pathway is capacity limited.

Thiocyanate can cause toxicity, although it is 100-fold less toxic than cyanide. It is eliminated by renal excretion, with a half-life of 3–7 days. Sodium nitroprusside infusions of 2–5 µg/kg ...