RT Book, Section A1 Price, Dennis P. A2 Nelson, Lewis S. A2 Howland, Mary Ann A2 Lewin, Neal A. A2 Smith, Silas W. A2 Goldfrank, Lewis R. A2 Hoffman, Robert S. SR Print(0) ID 1163020729 T1 Methemoglobin Inducers T2 Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 11e YR 2019 FD 2019 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259859618 LK accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1163020729 RD 2024/03/28 AB Methemoglobinemia is a disorder of the red blood cells (RBCs). Exposure to various xenobiotics can adversely affect the RBC membrane and intracellular metabolism and, interfere with hemoglobin function. Methemoglobin occurs when the iron atom in hemoglobin loses one electron to an oxidant, and the ferrous (Fe2+) or reduced state of iron is transformed into the ferric (Fe3+) or oxidized state. Although methemoglobin is always present at low concentrations in the body, methemoglobinemia is defined herein as an abnormal elevation of the methemoglobin level above 1%. The ubiquity of oxidants, both in the environment and xenobiotics prescribed in the hospital, has increased the number of cases of reported methemoglobinemia.