The Drug-Induced Respiratory Disease Website
Known since the 1940s (PMID 18883450). Comprehensive list of causal drugs and chemicals available at PMID 1564446. Methemoglobin is the oxidized (Fe3+) species of hemoglobin (Fe2+). Patients present with slate-grey cyanosis, low SpO2, normal SaO2 and PaO2. Normally, methemoglobin is <1%. Levels above 40% can be life-threatening, producing pulmonary edema, cardiovascular collapse (PMID 17122537) CNS disturbances and death. Management includes i.v. methylene blue. A possible rebound increase in MeHb upon treatment requires close monitoring. Excess methylene blue can also produce methemoglobinemia. Guidelines: PMID 34467556.
Publications
Methaemoglobinaemia from Vagisil creme in a 50-year-old woman.
BMJ case reports 2021 Mar 01;14; — 2021 Mar 01
El Salvador earthquakes: relationships among acute stress disorder symptoms, depression, traumatic event exposure, and resource loss.
Journal of traumatic stress 2006 Dec;19;879-93 — 2006 Dec — 879-93
A case report of fatal oral ingestion of resorcinol.
The Mount Sinai journal of medicine, New York 2006 Nov;73;1049-51 — 2006 Nov — 1049-51
[Methemoglobinemia caused by resorcinol].
Anales espanoles de pediatria 1985 Oct 15;23;305-7 — 1985 Oct 15 — 305-7