[e-drug] Methylene Blue alternatives? (2)

["offerhausl" <offerhausl@euronet.nl>]

E-DRUG: Methylene Blue alternatives? (2)
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Dear colleague,

So far as I know methylene blue is only on the WHO essential drugs list as an antidote in drug- or poison-induced methemoglobinaemia (nitrites, clorates, some herbicides). I see no reason to give the artificial colour blue to food; in addition man has a natural aversion to blue food, probably because this colour is associated with poison.  The only other medical application is in surgery where it is used to locate fistulas (gut-bladder-vagina).

It is not clear to me how this question applies to essential drugs policies etc.

Best wishes,

Leo Offerhaus, 
Netherlands
offerhausl@euronet.nl