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methylene blue

(Science: chemical) Methylthionine chloride; dark green crystals or crystalline powder having a bronze-like luster, readily reduced to colourless leukomethylene blue, which in turn is readily oxidised to methylene blue. Used as a bacteriologic stain and as an indicator, and administered orally or intravenously in the treatment of congenital methemoglobinaemia and cyanide poisoning.

Pharmacological action: anti-infective agents, urinary, antidotes, dyes.

Chemical name: Phenothiazin-5-ium, 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-, chloride