INFORMATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
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The active ingredient of Methylene Blue Solution for Injection is methylene blue trihydrate (3,7-Bis(dimethylamino)phenazathionium chloride trihydrate).
Methylene Blue Solution for Injection is a clear, blue-coloured solution containing in each 5.0 mL glass ampoule, methylene blue trihydrate 50.0 milligrams and water for injections. The pH of the solution ranges between 3.0 and 4.5.
In patients with methaemoglobinaemia, therapeutic doses of methylene blue can lower the levels of methaemoglobin in red blood cells. It activates a normally dormant reductase enzyme system that reduces the methylene blue to leucomethylene blue, which in turn is able to reduce methaemoglobin to haemoglobin. However, in large doses, methylene blue can itself produce methaemoglobinaemia and the methaemoglobin concentration should therefore be closely monitored during treatment. Methylene blue is not effective for the treatment of methaemoglobinaemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency as these patients have a diminished capacity to reduce methylene blue to leucomethylene blue. It is also potentially harmful as patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency are particularly susceptible to the haemolytic anaemias induced by methylene blue.
Methylene blue also possesses weak antiseptic and bacteriological staining properties and is reported to inhibit amine oxidase in tissues. The drug appears to bind irreversibly to viral nucleic acid and cause disruption of the virus molecule upon exposure to light.
The use of methylene blue as a diagnostic aid is based on its ability to stain tissue. Any skin discolouration can be removed with hypochlorite solution.
In tissues, methylene blue is rapidly reduced to leucomethylene blue, which is stabilised as an undetermined salt, complex, or combination form in the urine but not in the blood.
About 75% of an oral dose of methylene blue is excreted in the urine, primarily as leucomethylene blue, although a small proportion is excreted as the unchanged drug, while some is excreted via the bile.
Methylene Blue Solution for Injection is indicated:
Methylene blue may be administered orally or by intravenous injection. In the treatment of acute methaemoglobinaemia, the intravenous route of administration is usually preferred because it provides a more rapid onset of effect.
In the treatment of methaemoglobinaemia, methylene blue is administered intravenously as a 1% solution in doses of 1 to 2 milligrams per kg bodyweight injected over a period of several minutes. A repeat dose may be given after one hour if required. A maximum dose of 7 milligrams per kilogram body weight is recommended. The use of methylene blue is not recommended in infants under 4 months of age.
A dose of 5 mg/kg diluted in 500 mL of saline (sodium chloride 0.9%) or glucose 5% infused over 1 hour has been used successfully to stain and identify the parathyroid glands.
A suitable dilution for oral dosing would be 5 to 10 mL of the 1% solution diluted to 100 to 200 mL with water for injection. The high volume is suggested to reduce the degree of gastrointestinal disturbances and dysuria.
The dosage of methylene blue should be calculated on the basis of lean bodyweight.
Methylene Blue Solution for Injection is contraindicated in the following circumstances:
Intrathecal and subcutaneous injection of methylene blue are also contraindicated, as they can result in neural damage (intrathecal administration) and necrotic abscess (subcutaneous administration).
Long-term administration of methylene blue may result in marked anaemia due to accelerated destruction of erythrocytes; haemoglobin concentrations should be checked frequently.
If methylene blue is injected subcutaneously or if extravasation occurs, necrotic abscesses may result (see Contraindications).
Safety and efficacy of methylene blue in infants have not been established. It has been reported that the metabolism of methylene blue to leucomethylene blue is likely to be less efficient in neonates, due to reduced efficiency of NADPH-diaphorase in this age group. The use of Methylene Blue Solution for Injection in infants up to 4 months of age is not recommended.
Methylene blue is excreted mainly via the urine, primarily as leucomethylene blue. Methylene Blue Solution for Injection is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment. Caution should be exercised when administering methylene blue to patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.
There is no information on the carcinogenic potential of methylene blue.
Methylene blue was positive to gene mutation assays in bacteria and mouse lymphoma cells, but was negative in the in vivo mouse micronucleus test.
In vitro, methylene blue has been shown to reduce motility of human sperm. It has also been shown to inhibit the growth of cultured two-cell mouse embryos and the production of progesterone in cultured human luteal cells. In vivo effects on fertility and reproduction are not known.
Methylene blue should not be administered to pregnant women.
There is no information on whether or not the drug crosses into breast milk. Safety in the newborn has not been established, and hence it is recommended that breastfeeding is discontinued prior to administration of Methylene Blue Solution for Injection.
Methylene Blue Solution for Injection is likely to produce minor or moderate adverse effects, which may impair the patient's ability to concentrate and react and therefore constitute a risk in the ability to drive and use machines.
The following adverse events have been reported after intravenous administration of methylene blue:
Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, blue colour of faeces and saliva.
Haematologic: haemolysis (in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, or high doses), methaemoglobinaemia (after high doses).
Cardiovascular: hypertension, hypotension, arrhythmia, chest pain.
Body as a whole: profuse sweating.
Dermal: rash (blue macules, severe burning pain).
Nervous System: headache, dizziness, mental confusion.
Injection site: thrombophlebitis (resulting from high doses, if not adequately diluted - not more than 350 milligrams of methylene blue should be diluted in each 500 mL of infusion fluid), necrosis (if extravasation occurs).
Renal: blue color of urine.
Oral administration may cause gastrointestinal disturbances and dysuria.
Use of methylene blue for endoscopic tattoo has been associated with vascular necrosis, mucosal ulceration, mural necrosis, extramural fat necrosis and inflammatory changes in the colon.
Injection of methylene blue into joint space has resulted in effusion in the treated joint.
No information available.
No specific information is available. However, large doses of methylene blue can produce methaemoglobinaemia. Side effects seen with high doses include chest pain, dyspnoea, restlessness, apprehension, tremors and a sense of oppression. Large doses are irritant to the urinary tract. In addition, it can produce a mild haemolysis with moderate hyperbilirubinaemia, reticulosis and slight anaemia. Rarely, however, severe haemolytic anaemia with Heinz body formation has resulted. Methylene blue in large doses could cause a blue discolouration of the skin after methaemoglobin levels have returned to normal.
There is no specific antidote for methylene blue overdose. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. In severe and refractory cases of methaemoglobinaemia, blood transfusions and even exchange transfusions and (possibly) hyperbaric oxygen may be the only alternative available.
Methylene blue is reported to be incompatible with caustic alkalis, iodides and dichromates, and oxidising and reducing substances.
Store below 25°C. Protect from light.
Prescription Medicine.
Methylene blue is a dark green, odourless or almost odourless, crystal or crystalline powder. It is soluble in water, alcohol and chloroform. The molecular formula of methylene blue is C16H18ClN3S.3H2O. It has a molecular weight of 373.9 and its CAS registry number is 7220-79-3.
The structural formula of methylene blue trihydrate is shown below:
Phenolsulfophthalein excretion test: methylene blue may cause false positive test results.
Pulse oximetry: methylene blue may result in an underestimation of the oxygen saturation reading.
Full blood count, including reticulocyte count should be undertaken to ensure haemolysis has not occurred.
Long term administration of methylene blue may result in anaemia. Haemoglobin levels should be monitored during long-term therapy.
Methaemoglobin levels should be monitored throughout therapy.
AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd
P O Box 33-203
Takapuna
Auckland
Ph: 09-488 0232
Fax: 09-488 0234
Email: customer.service@aftpharm.com
February 2007