METHEMOGLOBINEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH PYRIDIUM® ADMINISTRATION: REPORT OF A CASE

Methemoglobin formation with resulting anemia has received considerable attention in the recent literature. The toxic effect of such drugs as the nitrites, the sulfonamides (with the exception of sulfadiazine® and sulfamerazine®) and the aniline dyes 1 has been most commonly implicated as a causative mechanism. The aniline dyes have provided a particular hazard because they are able to penetrate the intact skin and have, therefore, been responsible for poisoning resulting from the contact with freshly marked diapers in the hospital nursery. 2 The nitrate content of well water used in the preparation of a feeding formula has been a proved cause of cyanosis and methemoglobinemia in infants, the nitrates being converted to nitrites by the action of the intestinal bacteria. 3 Other causes of methemoglobinemia include an idiopathic form with a familial incidence in which the defect seems to be inherent in the red cells. 4 An enterogenous form is