Drug Induced Methemoglobinemia View PDF

^*Faris Q Alenzi
Department Of Immunology, College Of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

^*Corresponding Author:

Faris Q Alenzi
Department Of Immunology, College Of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Email:qalenzi@ksu.edu.sa

Published on: 2016-01-28

Abstract

Methemoglobinemia is a rare disorder of the blood in which there is an increase in the proportion of hemoglobin (Hb) present in the oxidized form (methemoglobin - mHb). Methemoglobinemia (congenital or acquired) occurs when red blood cells (RBCs) contain mHb at higher levels exceeds 1%, resulting in decreased oxygen availability to the tissues. This mini-review updates recent insights into some oxidative drugs that induce methemoglobinemia.

Keywords

Drug; Methemoglobinemia; Blood

Introduction

Methemoglobinemia is a rare disorder of the blood in which there is an increase in the proportion of hemoglobin present in the oxidized form (methemoglobin – mHb). It may be congenital, due either to a deficiency of mHb reductase or to a structural abnormality of Hb, or it may be acquired, usually secondary to exposure to drugs or chemicals that oxidize Hb, and occasionally it is secondary to pathologic conditions, such as sepsis, sickle cell crisis, and gastrointestinal infections in children.