Methylene Blue (Into a vein)
METH-i-leen BLOO
Treats methemoglobinemia (a condition where your blood cannot carry oxygen properly, usually because you have been exposed to a certain drug or chemical).
Drug classes
Antidote, Diagnostic Agent, Diagnostic Agent, Kidney Function (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Methylene blue injection is used to treat a condition called methemoglobinemia. This condition occurs when the blood cannot deliver oxygen where it is needed in the body. Methylene blue injection is also used as a dye to stain certain parts of the body before or during surgery.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
This medicine must be given very slowly, so the needle will remain in place for several minutes.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicines to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, bupropion, citalopram, desipramine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, nortriptyline, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, Aventyl®, Celexa®, Cymbalta®, Effexor®, Elavil®, Lexapro™, Luvox®, Norpramin®, Pamelor®, Paxil®, Prozac®, Tofranil®, Wellbutrin®, or Zoloft®), medicine to treat migraine headaches (such as eletriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, Imitrex®, Relpax®, or Zomig®), ergot medicine (such as ergotamine, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, or Wigraine®), or certain antibiotics (linezolid, Zyvox®).
When Not To Use
You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to methylene blue, or if you are pregnant.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or a condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines you are using. This medicine may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome when taken with certain medicines. Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines. The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include mental changes (confusion, hyperactivity, memory problems), muscle twitching, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, diarrhea, trouble with coordination, or fever.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Chest pain.
Severe shortness of breath.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Confusion or dizziness.
Heavy sweating.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
