prussian blue

PRUSH-un bloo

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Radiogardase

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Pigmentation Agent

Uses For prussian blue

Prussian blue is used to treat thallium poisoning and radiocesium poisoning. It works by combining with thallium and radiocesium in the intestines. The combination is then removed from the body through the stools. By removing the thallium or radiocesium, the medicine lessens damage to your body's organs and tissues.

Prussian blue is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using prussian blue

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For prussian blue, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to prussian blue or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Although there is no specific information comparing use of prussian blue in children with use in other age groups, prussian blue is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of prussian blue in the elderly with use in other age groups, prussian blue is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of prussian blue. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blockage of the intestines or


• Constipation—prussian blue may not work properly if these conditions are present

Proper Use of prussian blue

Keep taking prussian blue for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Do not miss any doses.

If you are unable to swallow the capsule, you may open the capsule and empty the contents into a glass (8 ounces) of warm water. Stir gently until the medicine is mixed with the water. Drink the water with the medicine right away. If there is any medicine left in the bottom of the glass, add a little more warm water to the glass and drink that too.

Your doctor may advise you to take prussian blue with a laxative, such as sorbitol, to help prevent constipation.

Dosing

The dose of prussian blue will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of prussian blue. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  
  • For acute thallium poisoning:
    
    • Adults and children—3 grams taken right away, followed by 3 to 20 grams a day divided into smaller doses as directed by your doctor. Or, the dose may be 3 grams taken right away, followed by 250 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (113.5 mg per pound) of body weight a day divided into four smaller doses. Either dose may be taken for two to three weeks as determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  
  • For chronic thallium poisoning:
    
    • Adults and children—The usual dose is 3 to 20 grams a day divided into smaller doses as directed by your doctor. Or, the dose may be 250 mg per kg (113.5 mg per pound) of body weight a day divided into four smaller doses. Either dose may be taken for two to three weeks as determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  
  • For radiocesium poisoning:
    
    • Adults and children—The usual dose is 500 mg every two hours, for a total dose of 3000 mg (3 grams) a day. This dose may be taken for as little as several days or as long as three weeks, as determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of prussian blue, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

prussian blue Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Constipation

prussian blue commonly causes unusually dark stools. This side effect does not usually need medical attention.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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More prussian blue resources

• Prussian blue Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Prussian blue - Add your own review/rating

• Prussian Blue Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Prussian Blue Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Prussian blue Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)

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