Medicinehospital

Methylene Blue

Intravenous dye medicine for methaemoglobinaemia.

Clinical information

Common uses

acquired methaemoglobinaemia in adults and children

Common side effects

headache
diarrhoea and nausea
low potassium or magnesium
muscle jerks
seizure-like episodes

Cautions

can cause fatal serotonin syndrome with serotonergic drugs and opioids
not with G6PD deficiency — haemolytic anaemia risk
makes pulse-oximeter readings unreliable
avoid driving until nerve and vision effects settle

Interactions

SSRIs and SNRIs (avoid — serotonin syndrome)
MAOIs, bupropion, buspirone, mirtazapine, clomipramine
linezolid
opioids and dextromethorphan (avoid)

Pregnancy: avoid — can harm the baby

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, ProvayBlue (methylene blue) injection label, setid 4f6848e5-35ed-4046-b13c-3032b5ba3232 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Methylene Blue	Parenteral ( Injection )	10 mg/ml (in 5 ml)	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Methylene Blue	Parenteral ( Injection )	10 mg/ml (in 10 ml)	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital