Methylene blue and Remifentanil interaction
Methylene blue and Remifentanil: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Methylene blue (PROVAYBLUE) label · effective 2025-05-28
WARNING: SEROTONIN SYNDROME WITH CONCOMITANT USE OF SEROTONERGIC DRUGS AND OPIOIDS PROVAYBLUE may cause serious or fatal serotonergic syndrome when used in combination with serotonergic drugs and opioids.
Avoid concomitant use of PROVAYBLUE with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and opioids. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )].
WARNING: SEROTONIN SYNDROME WITH CONCOMITANT USE OF SEROTONERGIC DRUGS AND OPIOIDS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
PROVAYBLUE may cause serious or fatal serotonergic syndrome when used in combination with serotonergic drugs and opioids.
Serotonin Syndrome with Concomitant Use of Serotonergic Drugs and Opioids The development of serotonin syndrome has been reported with the use of methylene blue class products.
From the Remifentanil (Ultiva) label · effective 2025-12-08
• Serotonin Syndrome : Potentially life-threatening condition could result from concomitant serotonergic drug administration.
Serotonin Syndrome with Concomitant Use of Serotonergic Drugs Cases of serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, have been reported during concomitant use of ULTIVA with serotonergic drugs.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: MAOI interactions with opioids may manifest as serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] or opioid toxicity (e.g., respiratory depression, coma) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
Intervention: The use of ULTIVA is not recommended for patients taking MAOIs or within 14 days of stopping such treatment.
Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system has resulted in serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] .
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.