Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice (Dec 2019)

A case of Dapsone Induced Methemoglobinemia

  • Najia Mahmood,
  • Mutti Ullah Khan,
  • Ihtisham U. L. Haq,
  • Farhat Afshan Jelani,
  • Aayesha Tariq

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40545-019-0185-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1

Abstract

Read online

Methemoglobinemia (MetHb) being a rare cause of cyanosis is generally not considered in its differential diagnosis. Methemoglobinemia is an abnormal Hb produced physiologically by auto-oxidation. If this process of auto oxidation is impaired either due to genetic defect or due to exogenous drugs/ toxins, its level starts rising. Once it is > 3%, tissue hypoxia ensues. Here is a case of dapsone induced MetHb and is reported in a young girl with central cyanosis, and was treated successfully with methylene blue. Methemoglobinemia should be considered in differential diagnoses of cyanosed patient with normal ABGs, PaO2 and cardio-respiratory status. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Keywords