METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) Injection 10ml
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Introduction About METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION contains Methylene Blue which belongs to the group of medicines called Oxidation-Reduction agents. It is used in children and adults to manage acquired methemoglobinemia.
Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which there is excessive production of methaemoglobin which is a form of haemoglobin that has lost the capability to release oxygen effectively to the body tissues. It is characterized by symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, nausea, pounding heart rate, weakness, lethargy, confusion, loss of consciousness and bluish discoloration of nail beds and skin.
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients who are allergic to methylene blue or any other thiazine dye. It is also not recommended for use in patients with G6PD (enzyme that helps in optimum functioning of red blood cells) deficiency or deficiency of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) reductase.
It should be used with caution in patients with liver and moderate or severe kidney impairment. METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION should be used with caution in pregnant women and it is not recommended to be used in breastfeeding women.
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION should be used with caution in newborns and infants (3 months old or younger). Also, it should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above) especially in patients with impaired renal function due to increased risk of side effects.
The common side effects associated with the use of METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION are pain in extremity, headache, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. Inform your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.
Uses Of METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION
- Manage acquired methemoglobinemia (in children and adults)
How METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION Works
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION helps in managing methemoglobinemia, where methylene blue undergoes certain reactions within the red blood cells and gets transformed into a reducing agent which acts on haemoglobin’s ferric ions and converts them back into their oxygen carrying ferrous form, thereby reinstating the oxygen delivery mechanism in the body tissues.
How to use METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse intravenously (into the vein) over 5 to 30 minutes. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.
Side Effects Of METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION
Common
- pain in extremity
- dizziness, headache
- sweating, anxiety
- skin discolouration (skin may turn blue)
- blue or green urine
- numbness and tingling sensation
- abnormal taste in mouth
- nausea, vomiting
- injection site pain
- chest pain
- stomach pain
Rare
Stop receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION and inform your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- syncope due to sinus pauses (severely low heartbeat) of 3-14 seconds
How To Manage Side Effects
Headache
Take rest and drink plenty of water. Avoid skipping meals. Do not strain your eyes by watching the screen for long time. Inform your doctor if the symptoms persist for long or get worsened.
Dizziness:
Lie down until the dizziness passes and get up slowly. Do not bend down suddenly. Get a lot of rest. Walk slowly and carefully. Take plenty of fluids. Avoid drinking coffee, alcohol or smoking. Inform your doctor if the symptom persists for a long or gets worsened.
Nausea
Stick to simple meals while receiving this medicine. Avoid eating oil-rich or spicy foods. Avoid taking drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. Do not smoke if you are having nausea. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.
Warning & Precautions
Pregnancy
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION should be used with caution in pregnant women. Consult your doctor before receiving it.
Breastfeeding
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor receiving it.
Driving and Using Machines
Do not drive or operate any machines while receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION as it may cause confusion, dizziness and disturbance in vision. Consult your doctor before receiving it.
Kidney
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment. Consult your doctor before receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION.
Liver
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Consult your doctor before receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION.
Allergy
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients who are allergic to methylene blue or any other thiazine dye.
Others
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION is not recommended for use if you:
- have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
- have deficiency of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) reductase
- have blood disorder (caused by chlorate poisoning or nitrite during management of cyanide poisoning)
Before receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION, inform your doctor if you:
- have blood disorder (caused by aniline (present in dyes) or due to dapsone (used to manage leprosy))
- increased blood sugar levels or diabetes
- have any scheduled blood or urine test
Use in Paediatrics:
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION should be used with caution in new-borns and infants (3 months old or younger). Your child’s may adjust the dose depending upon child’s body weight or blood disorder (caused due to aniline or dapsone). Consult your child’s doctor for advice.
Use in Geriatrics:
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above) especially in patients with impaired renal function due to increased risk of side effects. Consult your doctor before receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION.
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug Interactions
Before receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION, inform your doctor, if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- mirtazapine, bupropion, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (Ex. phenelzine, selegiline), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (medicines used to manage depression) Ex. citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline and zimelidine
- buspirone, venlafaxine (used to manage anxiety)
- clomipramine (used to manage obsessive-compulsive disorder)
Overdosage:
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or nurse in a hospital, and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, inform your doctor if you experience any symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, fast breathing rate, chest tightness, fast heart rate, anxiety, tremor, dilation of pupils, blue staining (particularly of the urine, skin and mucous membranes), abdominal pain, dizziness, burning sensation, headache and confusion.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Methylene Blue |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Oxidation-Reduction agents |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Methemoglobinemia |
| Dosage Forms | : | Injection |
More Information
- Store METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION at room temperature
FAQs About METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION
What METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION is used for?
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION is used in children and adults to manage acquired methemoglobinemia which is a blood disorder in which there is excessive production of methaemoglobin which is a form of haemoglobin that has lost the capability to release oxygen effectively to the body tissues. Consult your doctor before receiving it.
What side effects are seen with METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION?
The common side effects associated with the use of METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION are pain in extremities, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, chest pain, sweating, dizziness, skin discolouration (may turn blue). Inform your doctor immediately if any of the side effects worsen.
Who should avoid receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION?
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients who are allergic to methylene blue or any other thiazine dye. It is also not recommended for use in patients with G6PD (enzyme that helps in optimum functioning of red blood cells) deficiency. This medicine is not recommended to be used in breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before receiving it.
How does METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION work?
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION helps in managing methemoglobinemia where methylene blue undergoes certain reactions within the red blood cells and gets transformed into a reducing agent which acts on haemoglobin’s ferric ions and converting them back into their oxygen-carrying ferrous form, thereby reinstating the oxygen delivery mechanism in the body tissues.
What is the method of receiving METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION?
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into the vein (intravenously) over 5 to 30 minutes. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight and disease condition.
Is METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION safe to be used in patients with kidney problems?
METHYLENE BLUE (VULC) INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment. Your doctor may adjust the dose depending upon kidney function. Consult your doctor before receiving it.
References
1. J. Larry Jameson, A. S. Fauci, D. L. Kasper, S. L. Hauser, D. L. Longo, J. Loscalzo. Disorders of Hemoglobin. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. Twentieth Edition. 2018. Page – 695.
2. Prashant R. Ginimuge, S.D. Jyothi. Methylene Blue: Revisited. NIH National Library of Medicine. National Centre for Biotechnology Information. PMC PubMed Central. December 2010. [Assessed on 26th August 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3087269/
3. Provepharm SAS. MEthylene Blue In Patients With Acquired Methemoglobinemia (MEBIPAM). NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised in March 2021] [Accessed on 26th August 2022] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03395223
4. Provepharm sas. Provayblue (Methylene blue). [Revised in December 2021] [Accessed on 26th August 2022] https://americanregent.com/media/3260/ref-0687_provayblue-full-prescribing-information-rev122021.pdf
5. Cenexi. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in December 2021] [Accessed on 26th August 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6898.pdf
Useful Diagnostic Tests
- Kidney function tests
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