▶ METHYLENE BLUE · SUBTOPIC · DOSING LITERATURE
METHYLENE BLUE Dosing Literature
For Laboratory Research Use Only. The content below describes dose ranges as reported in peer-reviewed publications. This page does not recommend any dose for human use. No clinical claim is made. Always consult the original source publication.
SCOPE OF THIS PAGE
This page documents the published-literature dose ranges that appear in trials and animal studies of METHYLENE BLUE. Every dose mention is bound to a citation (author, year, PMID where available). The PEPPUDEX wiki phrases these as descriptive observations of the research record, not as instructions to the reader.
ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION IN PUBLISHED RESEARCH
The published research record for METHYLENE BLUE reports the following route(s) of administration: Oral (research), Intravenous (FDA-approved Provayblue). Route selection in a study reflects pharmacokinetic considerations specific to that protocol and is not a recommendation for any human use of METHYLENE BLUE.
PHARMACOKINETIC HALF-LIFE
Published pharmacokinetic data report a half-life for METHYLENE BLUE of approximately ~5-6 hours (oral / IV). Half-life is the kinetic parameter that frames the dosing rhythm chosen in trial design. It is a measurement, not a recommendation.
CITED DOSE RANGES IN THE LITERATURE
The peer-reviewed sources below report dose ranges, frequencies, and durations used in studies of METHYLENE BLUE. Refer to the original publication for full protocol detail.
- Wen Y, Li W, Poteet EC, et al. (2011) reports the METHYLENE BLUE protocol used in Alternative mitochondrial electron transfer as a novel strategy for neuroprotection, published in J Biol Chem. PMID 21357427. See the source for the protocol-level dose range, frequency, and duration. link
- Oz M, Lorke DE, Petroianu GA (2009) reports the METHYLENE BLUE protocol used in Methylene blue and Alzheimer's disease, published in Biochem Pharmacol. See the source for the protocol-level dose range, frequency, and duration. link
DOSING Q+A FROM LITERATURE
The questions below summarise dosing-relevant entries from the literature record. Each answer is descriptive of published material and is not a recommendation.
▶ Is methylene blue FDA-approved?
Yes for one specific use: Provayblue (IV methylene blue) is FDA-approved for acquired methemoglobinemia. Off-label oral use for cognitive research and mitochondrial-dysfunction research is not FDA-approved.
▶ What is the half-life of methylene blue?
Approximately 5-6 hours plasma half-life for both oral and IV routes.
▶ What are the side effects?
Blue urine and stool discoloration are expected at any dose. Higher doses produce blue skin/sclera tinting. Methylene blue is a reversible MAO-A inhibitor and produces serotonin syndrome risk when combined with SSRIs, SNRIs, or other serotonergic agents. G6PD deficiency contraindicates use due to hemolysis risk.
▶ What dose is used in cognitive research?
Low-dose oral methylene blue research typically uses 0.5-4 mg/kg per day. The Provayblue IV methemoglobinemia dose is 1-2 mg/kg. This wiki does not recommend any specific dose without clinical supervision.
STORAGE OF THE REFERENCE COMPOUND
Lyophilized · Room temperature, light-protected
Reconstituted · n/a · supplied as solution or tablets
Storage conditions describe the stability of the research-grade reference material, not a dosing protocol.
RECONSTITUTION MATH (CALCULATOR)
The PEPPUDEX reconstitution calculator at /calculator returns volume-per-dose math given vial mg, BAC mL, and a target dose in mcg. The calculator performs arithmetic only. It does not recommend a dose. Any number entered by a researcher must come from their own protocol design or the cited literature.
REGULATORY CONTEXT
FDA · Approved as Provayblue (IV methylene blue, 2016) for acquired methemoglobinemia in adults and pediatric patients. Off-label oral use in research and clinical contexts.
WADA · Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List (2026).
RELATED PAGES
▶ LAST UPDATED · 2026-05-25