Proveblue (Methylene Blue)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Proveblue Used For?
Proveblue contains methylene blue and belongs to a group of medicines called dyes. It is primarily used to treat blood conditions where oxygen isn’t being carried properly throughout your body.
Primary Uses
Proveblue is used to treat abnormal blood pigment levels where these pigments do not carry oxygen properly. It’s also used to stain bacteria to make them easier to see, as a visible dye to help diagnose various conditions, and as a stain to dye certain body tissues during surgery.
How It Works
Methylene blue works by helping restore normal blood pigment function so oxygen can be carried properly throughout your body.
Hospital Use Only: This medicine must only be given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital setting.
How to Take Proveblue
Proveblue must only be given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital. It cannot be self-administered at home.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive based on your medical condition, weight, and other factors. Sometimes only a single dose is required. The medicine can be given as an injection into a vein (either diluted or undiluted) or by mouth after dilution.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Since Proveblue is given when you have an appointment with your doctor or nurse, if you miss your appointment for your dose, speak with your doctor or nurse to reschedule.
Important: This medicine is always given under medical supervision, so overdose is unlikely. Your doctor will determine the exact timing and duration of treatment.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Blue color in urine or bowel movements
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Pain when passing urine
- Headaches, dizziness
- Mental confusion, anxiety, agitation
- Tremor
- Tingling or numbness of hands or feet
- Redness or swelling at injection site
- Change in color of skin, saliva, urine and/or feces to blue or blue/green
- Increased sensitivity to sun or light
- Dilated pupils
- Taste disturbance or loss of taste
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Low blood pressure (loss of consciousness, severe fatigue, feeling lightheaded, buzzing or ringing in ears, blurring or loss of vision)
- Anemia (tiredness and shortness of breath when exercising, dizziness, pale appearance)
- Allergic reaction (shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching or hives)
- Heart problems (chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat)
- Stomach pain, pain at injection site, pain in extremities
- High temperature, excessive sweating
- Yellow coloring of skin and/or eyes (jaundice – reported in infants)
- Problems with speaking, writing or reading
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Proveblue should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Proveblue
Do not use Proveblue if your blood disorder has been caused by cyanide or chlorate poisoning, if you are allergic to methylene blue or any other dyes, if you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (an inherited condition), or if you have or have had severe kidney problems.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, diabetes (as Proveblue may need to be diluted with glucose solution which could affect your blood glucose levels), aniline poisoning, or any allergies to medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes. Also inform them if you’ve been given Proveblue before and for how long.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
You should not be given this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as it may affect your developing baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Call your doctor straight away if you become pregnant while being given this medicine.
Infants Under 4 Months: The use of methylene blue in infants under 4 months of age is not recommended. Your doctor will discuss use of this medicine in infants younger than 4 months if needed.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Proveblue and affect how it works, potentially causing serious reactions.
Serotonin Syndrome Risk: When used with certain antidepressants or opioids, Proveblue may cause serotonin syndrome, which can be potentially life-threatening.
- Antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, escitalopram, citalopram)
- Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (clomipramine, venlafaxine, duloxetine, sibutramine)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Opioids (tramadol, pethidine, dextromethorphan)
- Dapsone (antibiotic for bacterial infections)
Alcohol & Driving
Proveblue can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol, so precautions are necessary.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, as this may affect your treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Proveblue affects you. Proveblue may cause dizziness in some people. If you feel dizzy, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Light Sensitivity
Proveblue can cause a photosensitivity reaction in the skin (sunburn-like reaction) when exposed to strong light sources, such as lights in operating rooms. Protective measures against light exposure should be taken.
Storage
Proveblue injection will be stored in the surgery, pharmacy or ward of a hospital. The injection is kept in a cool, dry place where the temperature is below 25°C. You don’t need to worry about storing this medicine yourself as it’s only given in healthcare settings.
Overdose Information
Since Proveblue is always given in a hospital under medical supervision, overdose is unlikely. However, if you think you have been given too much, symptoms would be the same as side effects but more severe. If you suspect an overdose, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
The timing depends on your specific condition and what Proveblue is being used for. Sometimes only a single dose is required. Your doctor will determine the appropriate duration of treatment based on your medical needs.
Yes, Proveblue will cause a blue color in your urine or bowel movements. This is a normal expected effect and may also cause your skin, saliva, and feces to turn blue or blue/green.
No, Proveblue must only be given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital setting. It cannot be self-administered and requires medical supervision.
Tell your doctor about all antidepressants you’re taking, especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors, as combining them with Proveblue may cause serotonin syndrome, which can be potentially life-threatening.
No, you should not be given Proveblue if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as it may affect your developing baby. Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while receiving this medicine.
Yes, Proveblue can cause increased sensitivity to sun or light and may cause a photosensitivity reaction (sunburn-like reaction) when exposed to strong light sources. Protective measures against light exposure should be taken.
The medicine can be used in elderly patients, but your doctor will consider your overall health, kidney function, and other medical conditions. It’s not recommended for long-term use in any age group.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.