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Methylene blue
Blue dye also used as a medication / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Methylthioninium chloride, commonly called methylene blue, is a salt used as a dye and as a medication. As a medication, it is mainly used to treat methemoglobinemia by chemically reducing the ferric iron in hemoglobin to ferrous iron.[6][2] Specifically, it is used to treat methemoglobin levels that are greater than 30% or in which there are symptoms despite oxygen therapy.[2] It has previously been used for treating cyanide poisoning and urinary tract infections, but this use is no longer recommended.[6]
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![]() A volumetric flask of a methylene blue solution | |
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Trade names | Urelene blue, Provayblue, Proveblue, others[1][2] |
Other names | CI 52015, basic blue 9[3] |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
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Routes of administration | By mouth, intravenous |
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Elimination half-life | 5 to 24 hours[6] |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.469 ![]() |
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Formula | C16H18ClN3S |
Molar mass | 319.85 g·mol−1 |
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Methylene blue is typically given by injection into a vein.[6] Common side effects include headache and vomiting. While use during pregnancy may harm the baby, not using it in methemoglobinemia is likely more dangerous.[6][2]
Methylene blue was first prepared in 1876, by Heinrich Caro.[9] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[10]