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Phenazopyridine — induced methaemoglobinaemia

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Summary

The ability of redox drugs and chemicals to induce methaemoglobinaemia is well recognised. Phenazopyridine, a commonly used urinary analgesic, is one such drug which occasionally causes methaemoglobinaemia. Most cases have occurred following overdose, or in patients with impaired renal function (Cohen and Borasso, 1971; Nathanet al, 1977; Sand and Edelman, 1961; Greenberg and Wong, 1964; Crawfordet al, 1951; Randazzoet al, 1975; Jefferyet al, 1982). 1982). We report a case of life-threatening methaemoglobinaemia due to phenazopyridine overdose, in a young woman who denied drug ingestion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital and University College, Cork

    S. O’Mahony, P. Finucane & D. Hinds

Authors
  1. S. O’Mahony
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  2. P. Finucane
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  3. D. Hinds
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Additional information

We thank Dr. P. Collins, Department of Biochemistry, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, for the phenazopyridine assay.

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O’Mahony, S., Finucane, P. & Hinds, D. Phenazopyridine — induced methaemoglobinaemia. I.J.M.S. 154, 433–434 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02937219

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02937219

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