Membraneblue Injection, Solution
FDA Label NDC 68803-672

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% is indicated for use as an aid in ophthalmic surgery by staining the epiretinal membranes during ophthalmic surgical vitrectomy procedures, facilitating removal of the tissue.

Make sure the plunger moves smoothly before use. Prime the syringe prior to use by retracting the plunger before injecting the fluid. Alternatively, twist the plunger into the stopper in a clockwise motion until tight. Once tight, continue turning the plunger in a clockwise motion until the stopper rotates freely within the syringe, two or three rotations. The syringe is now primed and suitable for injection.

Before injection of MembraneBlue™ 0.15% perform a 'fluid-air exchange', i.e. filling the entire vitreous cavity with air, to prevent aqeous dilution of MembraneBlue™ 0.15%. MembraneBlue™ 0.15% is carefully applied to the retinal membrane using a blunt cannula attached to the MembraneBlue™ 0.15% syringe, without allowing the cannula to contact or damage the retina. Sufficient staining is expected on contact with the membrane. All excess dye should be removed from the vitreous cavity before performing an air-fluid exchange, to prevent unnecessary spreading of the dye.

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% can also be injected directly in a BSS filled vitreous cavity (instead of injecting under air). Clinical use demonstrated that, after complete vitreous and posterior hyaloid removal, sufficient staining is achieved after 30 seconds of application under BSS.

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% is intended to be applied directly on the areas where membranes could be present, staining any portion of the membrane which comes in contact with the dye. The dye does not penetrate the membrane.

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% (trypan blue ophthalmic solution) is supplied in 2.25 mL syringes filled to a volume of 0.5 mL.

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% is contraindicated when a non-hydrated (dry state), hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) is planned to be inserted into the eye. The dye may be absorbed by the IOL and stain it.

Excessive staining:

It is recommended that after inection all excess MembraneBlue™ 0.15% be immediately removed from the eye.

Priming of the syringe:

Make sure the plunger moves smoothly before use: first retract the plunger or twist the plunger in a clockwise motion before injecting the fluid.

Adverse reactions reported following use of MembraneBlue™ 0.15% include discoloration of high water content hydrogen intraocular lenses (see Contraindications) and inadvertent staining of the posterior lens capsule and vitreous face. Staining of the posterior lens capsule or staining of the vitreous face is generally self limited, lasting up to one week.

Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category C. Trypan blue is teratogenic in rats, mice, rabbits, hamsters, dogs, guinea pigs, pigs, and chickens. The majority of teratogenicity studies performed involve intravenous, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration in the rat. The teratogenic dose is 50 mg/kg as a single dose or 25 mg/kg/day during embryogenesis in the rat. These doses are approximately 4,000- and 2,000-fold the maximum recommended human dose of 0.75 mg per injection based on a 60 kg person, assuming that the whole dose is completely absorved. Characteristic anomalies included neural tube, cardiovascular, vertebral, tail, and eye defects. Trypan blue also caused an increase in post-implantation mortality, and decreased fetal weight. In the monkey, trypan blue caused abortions with single or two daily doses of 50 mg/kg between the 20th to 25th days of pregnancy, but no apparent increase in birth defects (approximately 4,000-fold maximum recommended human dose of 0.75 mg per injection, assuming total absorption). There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Trypan blue should be given to a pregnant woman only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when trypan blue is administered to a nursing woman.

The safety and effectiveness of trypan blue have been established in pediatric patients. use of trypan blue is supported by evidence from an adequate and well-controlled study in pediatric patients.

No overall differences in safety and effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% (trypan blue ophthalmic solution) is a sterile solution of trypan blue (an acid di-azo group dye). MembraneBlue™ 0.15% selectively stains epiretinal membranes during ophthalmic surgical vitrectomy procedures.

Each mL of MembraneBlue™ 0.15% contains: 1.5 mg trypan blue; 1.9 mg sodium mono-hydrogen orthophosphate (Na ₂HPO ₄•2H ₂O); 0.3 mg sodium di-hydrogen orthophosphate (NaH ₂PO ₄•2H ₂O); 8.2 mg sodium chloride (NaCl); and water for injection. The pH is 7.3 - 7.6. The osmolality is 257 - 314 mOsm/kg.

The drug substance trypan blue has the chemical name 3,3'-[(3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-biphenylylene) bis (azo)] bis (5-amino-4-hydroxy-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid) tetra sodium salt, a molecular weight of 960.8, a molecular formula of C ₃₄H ₂₄N ₆Na ₄O ₁₄S ₄, and has the following chemical structure:

Chemical Structure Membraneblue (Membraneblue 01)

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% selectively stains membranes in the human eye during posterior surgery, such as epiretinal membranes (ERM) and Internal Limiting Membranes (ILM).

Trypan blue is carcinogenic in rats. Wister/Lewis rats developed lymphomas after receiving subcutaneous injections of 1% trypan blue dosed at 50 mg/kg every other week for 52 weeks (total dose approximately 100,000-fold the maximum recommended human dose of 0.75 mg per injection in a 60 kg person,assuming total absorption).

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% is supplied as follows:

0.5 mL of MembraneBlue™ 0.15% in a sterile single-use Luer Lok, 2.25 mL glass syringe, grey rubber plunger stopper and tip cap with polypropylene plunger rod in a peel pouch. Five pouched products are packed in one distribution box.

MembraneBlue™ 0.15% is stored at 15 - 25°C (59 - 77°F). Protect from direct sunlight.

Rx ONLY

Manufactured by

D.O.R.C. international b.v.

Scheijdelveweg 2

3214 VN Zuidland

The Netherlands

Distributed in the United States by

Dutch Ophthalmic, USA

10, Continental Drive, Bldg 1

Exeter, NH 03833, USA

Phone: 800-75-DUTCH or 603-778-6929

US Patents 6,696,430 and 6,372,449

Copyright ©, 2009 Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center