Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin (HEEM o glo bin). Hemoglobin is a substance
in blood that carries oxygen and distributes it to your tissues and organs. However,
methemoglobin is not a type of hemoglobin that is useful in carrying oxygen.
Methemoglobin normally exists in small amounts in the blood. However, when
methemoglobin levels increase, the blood is less efficient in circulating oxygen. The resulting
lack of oxygen throughout the body can cause symptoms such as pale or blue-colored skin.
Methemoglobinemia is a condition in which methemoglobin is present in high levels in
the blood. Methemoglobinemia usually occurs when a person is exposed to certain drugs or
chemicals such as nitrites. It may also be caused by a genetic disorder.
Methylene blue
injection
is used to treat methemoglobinemia. It works
by converting methemoglobin to a more efficient type of hemoglobin to better carry oxygen
throughout the body.
Methylene blue
oral
is used to treat methemoglobinemia and urinary
tract infections. It works as a mild antiseptic to kill bacteria in the urinary tract. You will most
likely also be given an antibiotic medication to treat your infection.
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 may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking methylene blue (oral and injection)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methylene blue, or if you
have severe kidney problems.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely
use this medication. Before using methylene blue, tell your doctor if you have:
FDA pregnancy category C. Methylene blue may cause harm to
an unborn baby, but the medication may sometimes be used during pregnancy. Your doctor will
determine whether or not this medication is safe or if it will harm the unborn baby. Before you
are treated with methylene blue, 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. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take methylene blue (oral and injection)?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts
or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
The usual dose of
oral
methylene blue is 1 or 2 tablets after meals, 3
times per day.
Take the methylene blue tablet with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Methylene blue
injection
is given through a needle placed into a vein.
Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection in a clinic or hospital
setting.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested
often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with methylene blue. Do not
miss any scheduled appointments.
Methylene blue will most likely cause your urine or stools to appear blue or green in
color. This is a normal side effect of the medication and will not cause any harm.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using methylene blue.
Store methylene blue tablets at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and
light.
What happens if I miss a dose of methylene blue (oral and injection)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about methylene blue (oral and injection)?
Your pharmacist has information about methylene blue (oral and injection) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of methylene blue (oral and injection)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;
pain in your chest or behind your breast bone;
pale or blue skin;
high fever, fast or pounding heartbeats, trouble breathing;
or
confusion, feeling like you might pass out.
Less serious side effects may include:
mild bladder irritation;
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
dizziness;
headache; or
increased sweating.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about methylene blue (oral and injection)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to methylene blue, or if you
have severe kidney problems.
Before using methylene blue, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, or
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially antacids, diuretics
(water pills), sodium bicarbonate, or acetazolamide (Diamox).
Methylene blue will most likely cause your urine or stools to appear blue or green in
color. This is a normal side effect of the medication and will not cause any harm.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using methylene blue.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as severe vomiting or
stomach pain, pain in your chest or behind your breast bone, pale or blue skin, high fever, fast or
pounding heartbeats, trouble breathing, confusion, or feeling like you might pass out.
What should I avoid while taking methylene blue (oral and injection)?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while you are using methylene blue.
What other drugs will affect methylene blue (oral and injection)?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
acetazolamide (Diamox);
antacids;
sodium bicarbonate; or
a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ,
Accuretic, Aldactazide, Aldoril, Atacand HCT, Avalide, Capozide, Diovan HCT, Dyazide,
HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Inderide, Lopressor HCT, Lotensin HCT, Maxzide, Moduretic, Vaseretic,
Zestoretic, Ziac, and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with methylene blue. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not
start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of methylene blue (oral and injection)?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009