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Methylene Blue

Methylene Blue Side Effects

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCPAllison Gourley, PharmD
Reviewed by Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on January 2, 2025

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

These side effects were reported in at least 2% of people:

  • Headache
  • Low blood potassium levels
  • Diarrhea
  • Low blood magnesium levels
  • Muscle twitches
  • Nausea

Less Common Side Effects

  • Fast heart rate
  • Blurry vision
  • Dry mouth
  • Muscle pain
  • Nasal congestion

Methylene Blue serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
  • Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, flushing, tremor (shakiness), muscle stiffness, muscle twitching or spasms, uncoordinated movement, distress, seizures, distress, hallucinations, coma
  • Hemolytic anemia (low red blood cell count): tiredness, dizziness, weakness, high heart rate, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark-colored urine

Source: DailyMed

The following Methylene Blue side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Agitation

bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms

confusion

cough

dark urine

diarrhea

difficulty breathing

difficulty swallowing

dizziness or lightheadedness

fast heartbeat

fever

headache

hives or welts, itching, or skin rash

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

overactive reflexes

pale skin

poor coordination

rapid heart rate

redness of the skin

restlessness

shivering

sore throat

sweating

talking or acting with excitement you cannot control

tightness in the chest

trembling or shaking

twitching

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Abdominal or stomach pain

bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of the eye)

blue staining of the urine, skin, and mucous membranes

bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms

blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

confusion

dark urine

difficulty breathing

dizziness or lightheadedness

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

fear

fever

headache

increased sensitivity of the eyes to light

nausea

pale skin

rapid heart rate

rapid shallow breathing

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

sore throat

tightness in the chest

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Change in taste

changes in skin color

feeling hot or cold

increased sweating

loss of taste

muscle or joint pain

pain at the infusion site

pain in the arms or legs

Less common

Back pain

bruising

chills

general feeling of discomfort or illness

large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin

loss of appetite

muscle aches and pains

muscle spasm

runny nose

trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Why trust our experts?

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, started his full-time career as a clinical pharmacist at UCLA Health in the general medicine, general cardiology, and ICU units after completing residency in 2016. He also was the preceptor for the general medicine rotation from 2017 to 2021, which was a required rotation for all pharmacy residents.
Allison Gourley, PharmD, is a kidney and pancreas transplant pharmacist at a teaching hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area. When she’s not educating patients about their immunosuppressants, she's actively involved in transplant research.

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