What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Methylene blue and paroxetine
Paroxetine's FDA label of February 12, 2026 names methylene blue in its contraindications section; methylene blue's label does not name paroxetine itself but warns about its class (serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The paroxetine label: “Intervention; PAXIL is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue.”
Check it at the source: the methylene blue FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 28, 2025, American Regent, Inc.); the paroxetine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 12, 2026, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.).
What does the methylene blue label say about paroxetine?
Methylene blue's label does not name paroxetine itself; it warns about its class (serotonin reuptake inhibitors):
Methylene blue label, drug interactionsAvoid concomitant use of PROVAYBLUE with medicinal products that enhance serotonergic transmission including antidepressants like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), bupropion, buspirone, clomipramine, mirtazapine, linezolid, opioids, and dextromethorphan because of the potential for serious CNS reactions, including potentially fatal serotonin syndrome.
Methylene blue label, boxed warningAvoid concomitant use of PROVAYBLUE with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and opioids. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )].
Source: FDA drug label (PROVAYBLUE), NDA204630 (Provepharm Sas), as published by American Regent, Inc., effective May 28, 2025 (SPL set 4f6848e5-35ed-4046-b13c-3032b5ba3232), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the paroxetine label say about methylene blue?
Paroxetine label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS Paroxetine tablets are contraindicated in patients: Taking, or within 14 days of stopping, MAOIs (including the MAOIs linezolid and intravenous methylene blue) because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Drug Interactions (7) ].
Paroxetine label, drug interactionsIntervention; Paroxetine tablets are contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see,, ].
Paroxetine label, warnings and precautionsIf it is necessary to initiate treatment with an MAOI such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue in a patient taking paroxetine tablets discontinue paroxetine tablets before initiating treatment with the MAOI [see Contraindications (4), Drug Interactions (7) ].
Paroxetine Hydrochloride label (Apotex Corp, September 16, 2026), drug interactionsIntervention; Paroxetine HCL CR is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [see Dosage and Administration (), Contraindications (), Warnings and Precautions ()].
Source: FDA drug label (Paroxetine Hydrochloride, NDA020936), Apotex Corp, effective September 16, 2026 (SPL set 087ff0d3-1761-47ea-a8c1-7c4cb679af97), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Paroxetine), Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective February 12, 2026 (SPL set 89dd7e24-85fc-4152-89ea-47ec2b48a1ed), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Methylene blue | Paroxetine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Depression, Anxiety, Menopause symptoms |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.0611 per tablet 20 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once