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Methylene Blue (Methylene Blue Injection): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

Methylene Blue

Last updated on RxList: 6/29/2021

Drug Summary

What Is Methylene Blue?

Methylene Blue (methylene blue) injection is a form of hemoglobin, a substance in blood, used to treat methemoglobinemia. Methylene Blue oral is used to treat methemoglobinemia and urinary tract infections. Methylene Blue is also used as a dye or staining agent to make certain body fluids and tissues easier to view during surgery or on an x-ray or other diagnostic exam. Methylene Blue is available in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of Methylene Blue?

Common side effects of Methylene Blue include abnormal urine or stool color. Less frequent side effects of Methylene Blue include:

  • mild bladder irritation,
  • dizziness,
  • headache,
  • increased sweating,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • abdominal pain,
  • diarrhea,
  • upset stomach,
  • frequent urination, or
  • stomach cramps.

Side effects of large doses of Methylene Blue include chest pain and confusion.

Dosage for Methylene Blue

Methylene Blue is dosed 0.045 to 0.09 mL per pound of body weight.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Methylene Blue?

Methylene Blue may interact with acetazolamide, antacids, sodium bicarbonate, or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

Methylene Blue During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Methylene blue may cause harm to a fetus, but the medication may sometimes be used during pregnancy. Your doctor will determine whether or not this medication is safe. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Methylene Blue passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Methylene Blue (methylene blue injection) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Methylene Blue

Methylene Blue Injection, USP is a sterile solution of methylene blue (methylene blue injection) in water for injection suitable for parenteral administration.

Methylene Blue structural formula illustration

C16H18ClN3S                   MW = 319.86

Each mL of solution contains 10 mg of methylene blue (methylene blue injection) .

Uses for Methylene Blue

Drug induced methemoglobinemia.

Dosage for Methylene Blue

0.1 to 0.2 mL per kilogram of body weight (0.045 to 0.09 mL per pound of body weight). Inject Methylene Blue (methylene blue injection) intravenously very slowly over a period of several minutes.

HOW SUPPLIED

Methylene Blue (methylene blue injection) Injection, USP, 1% is supplied as follows:

NDC 11098-504-01

1 mL in 2 cc (partially filled) vials in packages of 10.

NDC 11098-504-10

10 mL vials in packages of 10.

NDC 11098-520-01 1 mL ampules in packages of 10.
NDC 11098-520-10 10 mL ampules in packages of 10.

The vials are packaged with a Flip Tear-Off Seal. The seal can either be flipped normally to reveal the rubber stopper or be totally removed so the rubber stopper can be taken out of the vial. The plastic button is attached to the metal seal, which when pulled, tears the seal at the score line allowing the metal portion to be removed.

Storage

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Flip Tear-Off Seal: Directions for Use:

  1.  With the thumb, flip the plastic button up to reveal the rubber stopper.
  2.  Pull the button to tear the seal at the score line and twist to remove.

Taylor Pharmaceuticals, An Akorn Company, Decatur, Illinois 62522. Rev. 03/06. FDA rev date: n/a

Side Effects for Methylene Blue

Large intravenous doses of Methylene Blue (methylene blue injection) produce nausea, abdominal and precordial pain, dizziness, headache, profuse sweating, mental confusion and the formation of methemoglobin.

Use in Pregnancy

Safety for use in pregnancy has not been established. Use of Methylene Blue (methylene blue injection) in women of childbearing potential requires that anticipated benefits be weighed against possible hazards.

Drug Interactions for Methylene Blue

No information provided.

Warnings for Methylene Blue

Methylene Blue (methylene blue injection) should not be given by subcutaneous or intrathecal injection.

Precautions for Methylene Blue

Methylene Blue (methylene blue injection) must be injected intravenously very slowly over a period of several minutes to prevent local high concentration of the compound from producing additional methemoglobin. Do not exceed recommended dosage.

Overdose Information for Methylene Blue

No information provided.

Contraindications for Methylene Blue

Intraspinal injection is contraindicated.

Clinical Pharmacology for Methylene Blue

Actions

Methylene blue (methylene blue injection) is Phenothiazin-5-ium, 3,7-bis (dimethylamino)-, chloride, trihydrate. It will produce two opposite actions on hemoglobin. Low concentrations will convert methemoglobin to hemoglobin. High concentrations convert the ferrous iron of reduced hemoglobin to ferric iron which results in the formation of methemoglobin.

Patient Information for Methylene Blue

No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections.

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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.