Methylene blue may lead to urine appearing blue or green. The exact color is influenced by the interaction of the dye with urochrome, a yellow pigment found in urine, which can produce a green or greenish-blue tint. This change in color is a frequent side effect of Methylene Blue and is generally harmless and transient.
What is Methylene Blue?
That is a loaded question as Methylene Blue has many uses going back many years. Recently Methylene Blue has become a popular supplement with potential benefits for energy production, cognitive function and mitochondrial health. One user stated, “It is like a brain health drug, providing better mental clarity, enhancing my memory and improving my overall well-being.” Personally, I would run using Methylene Blue by my physician before trying it. Methylene Blue products are advertised as not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Methylthionine chloride, commonly called methylene blue, is a salt used as a dye and as a medication or supplement. This was first prepared as a medicine in 1876 by a German chemist – Heinrick Caro. This solution served as the initial prototype or lead compound for the development of various antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine, as well as antihistamines and antipsychotics, including chlorpromazine.
Methylene Blue and Drug Testing
With common urine drug testing, receiving a blue or green urine specimen is suspicious. Blue dye is added to toilets and toilet tanks so that if a donor for a drug test scoops some of the toilet water; the specimen collector will become aware that the donor may be attempting to tamper with their specimen.
When a blue or discolored specimen is received, particularly for DOT drug testing, the collector then moves to a second specimen collection under direct observation. An observer is watching the urine go from the donors body into the specimen collection cup. This is timely, awkward and uncomfortable for all involved.
So if you took Methylene Blue the day before or the day of your urine drug test, you might pee green or blue. This does not mean that you did anything wrong, but with blue or green urine; the DOT specimen collector will be required to move to a direct observed collection. So the best advice is that if you know your going to have to take a drug test, discontinue the use of Methylene Blue for a few days just so you can get through the drug test quickly and without any inconveniences.
If you do happen to provide bule or green pee even with the direct observation, ask the specimen collector to note in the remarks that you take Methylene Blue. This would give the laboratory a heads up as to why they might be seeing a blue or green specimen.
By itself Methylene Blue will not make you test positive, you will only be positive if you are also taking illicit drugs. At the laboratory, the technician might see blue liquid, and this might throw up a flag – again possibly causing time delays and inconveniences. It is also not clear yet if the urine from a Methylene Blue might cause any interference with the drug test. This is kind of a new fad so to speak becoming popular very recently. If the laboratory cannot provide a legally defensible positive or negative result, they will call it an invalid result. This then might require additional testing.
Methylene Blue and drug testing is a hot topic as of late. More to come as laboratories start testing specimens from donors that are taking Methylene Blue. We shall wait for the results and nuances. Of course, do not use illicit drugs with our without taking Methylene Blue.
For all your drug testing needs, contact National Drug Screening.
