Page 284 - Biochemistry PharmD General

The percent of met-hemoglobin can increase if the
person consumes drugs like ferricyanide, nitrite, qui-
nines, hydroxylamine’s, acetanilide and sulfonamide.
Higher levels of met-hemoglobin is observed clinically in
factory workers who inhale (or contact through skin)
aromatic nitro and amino compounds and in patients
taking large amounts of acetanilide and sulfonamides.
The symptoms are cyanosis (blue skin) and dyspnoea
(labored breathing).

Importance of methemoglobin
Met-hemoglobin can be used to overcome cyanide
poisoning. By injecting met-hemoglobin it combines with
cyanide to form cyanomethemoglobin preventing
cyanide poisoning.

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