Methylene blue induced cyanosis and acutehemolytic anemia complicating the treatment of methemoglobinemia

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Summary

Case histories of 2 infants who received large doses of intravenous methylene blue have been reported. One infant received the large amount during treatment for well water methemoglobinemia. The other infant was given a similar dose experimentally.

The skin of both infants turned a grayishblue and remained so for about 4 days following administration of methylene blue. This phenomenon has not been previously described. Both children developed an acute hemolytic anemia about a week later.

These toxic effects of methylene blueoverdosage have been discussed. It has been stressed that methylene blue is not an innocuous drug and, though of great value in the treatment of methemoglobinemia, recommended dosage should not be exceeded.

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