As a medical professional with expertise in hematology, I can provide you with an overview of how methemoglobinemia is treated. Methemoglobinemia is a condition where there is an abnormal amount of methemoglobin in the blood, which can impair the blood's ability to carry oxygen effectively.

Mild cases of methemoglobinemia may not require treatment, as the body can naturally reduce methemoglobin levels over time. However, for moderate to severe cases, treatment is necessary to prevent organ damage and other complications.

The primary treatment for methemoglobinemia involves the administration of methylene blue, which acts as an oxidizing agent to convert methemoglobin back to normal hemoglobin. The typical dose is 1-2 mg/kg of body weight, given intravenously over 5 minutes. Methylene blue is effective in cases where the methemoglobinemia is caused by an acquired cause, such as certain medications or chemicals.

In cases where methylene blue is contraindicated or ineffective, alternative treatments may include:
- Vitamin C: In cases of hereditary methemoglobinemia due to a deficiency in the enzyme that reduces methemoglobin, vitamin C can be used.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: This can be used to increase the oxygen levels in the blood, which may help in severe cases where other treatments are not effective.
- Exchange transfusion: In severe cases, especially in infants, an exchange transfusion may be necessary to remove the methemoglobin-rich blood and replace it with normal blood.

It's important to identify and remove the cause of methemoglobinemia if it is due to an external factor, such as a medication or exposure to a toxic substance.

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Pharmacologic Therapy, Exchange Transfusion, and Hyperbaric Oxygen. Methylene blue is the primary emergency treatment for documented symptomatic methemoglobinemia. It is given in a dose of 1-2 mg/kg (up to a total of 50 mg in adults, adolescents, and older children) as a 1% solution in IV saline over 3-5 minutes.read more >>