Methyl violet

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Where is Methyl violet found?

The main use of methyl violet is to dye textiles purple and give deep violet and blue colors in paints and printing ink. Methyl violet 2B (simply called methyl violet) is used in chemistry as a pH indicator. Methyl violets are mixtures of tetramethyl, pentamethyl and hexamethyl pararosanilins. In medicine, it is known as Gentian violet and is the active ingredient in Gram's stain, used to classify bacteria. Gentian violet destroys cells, and is used as a moderate-strength external disinfectant.

How can you avoid contact with Methyl violet?

Avoid products that list any of the following names in the ingredients:

• Aizen Methyl Violet
• Basic Violet 1
• Basic Violet K
• Basonyl Violet 600
• C Ext. Violet 5
• C.I. 42535 .I.
• Basic Violet 1
• CCRIS 1187
• Gentian Violet B
• Methyl Violet
• Methyl Violet 2B
• Methyl Violet 6B
• Methyl Violet BB
• Methyl Violet FN
• Methyl Violet N
• Methyl-violett [German]
• Paris Violet R
• Pyoktanin Blue
• Pyoktaninum coeruleum
• Violet methylova [Czech]
• Violet powder H 2503

What are some products that may contain Methyl violet?

A clinician's point of view.

Additional resources and links for Methyl violet.

To submit resources or links, please fill out the submission form at the top of this page.

For additional information about products that might contain Methyl violet, visit the Consumer Product Information Database. These lists are brief and provide just a few examples. They are not comprehensive. Product formulations also change frequently. Read product labels carefully and talk to your doctor if you have any questions. These are general guidelines. Talk to your doctor for more specific instructions.