Used primarily in medical settings as a rapid-acting vasodilator to control severe hypertension, especially during hypertensive crises and in surgical procedures requiring controlled hypotension. It acts by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, leading to dilation of arteries and veins, thereby reducing blood pressure quickly. Its effect begins within minutes of intravenous administration and is short-lived, allowing precise control of blood pressure. Also used in diagnostic procedures to assess cardiovascular function and cyanide metabolism. In laboratory settings, it serves as a reagent for detecting sulfide ions and in tests for ketones and methemoglobin. Due to its nitric oxide-releasing property, it has been studied in research contexts related to nitric oxide signaling pathways.