Indigo carmine

eGFR (mL/min)	Dosage
<30	Not recommended.

Recommendations may vary among countries and between individual products (refer to specific product guidelines).

Hypersensitivity.

Patient with hypertension, heart rate and conduction disorders (e.g. AV block, bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias), or those concurrently receiving agents that cause bradycardia. Avoid in patients with uncontrolled heart failure and haemodynamic instability. Not recommended in renal impairment (eGFR <30 mL/min). Pregnancy and lactation.

Significant: Severe anaphylactic reactions with bronchospasm, dyspnoea, urticaria, or erythema; may cause vasoconstriction.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Fever.
Investigations: Increased serum ALT.
Renal and urinary disorders: Dysuria.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Bronchoconstriction.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash, pruritus, skin discolouration at inj site.
Potentially Fatal: Severe CV reactions (e.g. cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, asystole, 2nd degree AV block, hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, tachycardia).

IM/IV/Parenteral: C

This drug may cause temporary blue discolouration of the urine; this is harmless, do not be alarmed.

Closely monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac rhythm during and after administration. Assess for signs and symptoms of anaphylactic reactions.

Symptoms: Hypertensive crisis and severe bradycardia.

Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. May consider administration of a peripheral vasodilator.

May interfere with light absorption and transiently affect pulse oximetric measurements, potentially causing an artifactual reduction in oxygen saturation. May interfere with colourimetric methods of urinalysis.

Description:
Overview: Indigo carmine is a diagnostic dye.
Mechanism of Action: Indigo carmine is excreted by the kidneys via tubular secretion and enhances visualisation of the ureteral orifices through its deep blue colour.
Synonym(s): Indigotindisulfonate sodium.
Onset: Within 4-9 minutes (after IV inj).
Pharmacokinetics:
Distribution: Volume of distribution: 10.7 L. Plasma protein binding: Approx 90%.
Excretion: Via urine (16%, as unchanged drug); faeces (<2%). Elimination half-life: 12 minutes (IV).

Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2723854, Indigo carmine. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Indigo-carmine. Accessed Nov. 25, 2025.

Store between 15-30°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Protect from light.

Radiographic & Diagnostic Agents

V04CH02 - indigo carmine ; Belongs to the class of diagnostic agents used to test for renal function.

Bludigo Injection (Provepharm Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 16/10/2025.

Blumyne 40 mg/5 mL, Solution for Injection (Provepharm). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 16/10/2025.

Brayfield A, Cadart C (eds). Indigo Carmine. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 16/10/2025.

Indigo Carmine [Indigotindisulfonate Sodium]. UpToDate Lexidrug, Lexi-Drugs Multinational Online. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 16/10/2025.

Indigotindisulfonate Sodium. Gold Standard Drug Database in ClinicalKey [online]. Elsevier Inc. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed 18/11/2025.

Indigotindisulfonate Sodium. UpToDate Lexidrug, AHFS DI (Adult and Pediatric) Online. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 16/10/2025.