Comparison
EGCG vs Methylene Blue
Side-by-side of EGCG and Methylene Blue. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
EGCG
EGCG supplement guide: 300-600 mg/day green tea catechin for fat loss and cardiovascular markers. Hepatotoxicity risk above 800 mg/day fasted.
Methylene Blue
Methylene blue as a nootropic: low-dose cognitive enhancement, mitochondrial electron cycling, brain oxygen uptake, SSRI interaction risk, typical 0.5 to 4 mg.
Effects at a glance
EGCG
- •Modest fat loss (~1.3 kg over 12 weeks) when combined with caffeine and caloric deficit
- •Small reductions in LDL cholesterol (3-6 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure (2-3 mmHg)
- •EFSA flags hepatotoxicity risk above 800 mg/day, particularly when taken fasted
- •Bioavailability is 0.1-1.0%; gut microbiome variation drives population-variable response
- •Green tea extract typically combines EGCG with caffeine and L-theanine for additive effects
- •Reduces non-heme iron absorption when co-administered with meals
Methylene Blue
- •FDA approved for methemoglobinemia and ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy
- •Mitochondrial electron-transport support at low doses (0.5 to 4 mg/kg) via cytochrome c shuttle
- •Potent MAO-A inhibitor; serotonin syndrome risk with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, fentanyl, tramadol, St John's wort
- •Causes harmless blue-green urine and sweat coloration; useful adherence marker
- •G6PD deficiency is an absolute contraindication; can trigger massive hemolysis
- •Cognitive-enhancement evidence is preliminary, mostly preclinical and small fMRI trials
Side-by-side
| Attribute | EGCG | Methylene Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Category | natural | pharmaceutical |
| Also known as | epigallocatechin gallate, green tea extract | Methylthioninium chloride, Provayblue, tetramethylthionine chloride |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 3 | 5.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 400 | 70 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 2 times daily with food | 1 to 3 times daily for cognitive use; single IV dose for methemoglobinemia |
| Routes | oral | oral, intravenous |
| Onset (hr) | 1.5 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 2 | 1.5 |
| Molecular weight | 458.37 | 319.85 |
| Molecular formula | C22H18O11 | C16H18ClN3S |
| Mechanism | Inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) to prolong norepinephrine signaling; activates AMPK; scavenges reactive oxygen species via gallate ester; modulates gut microbiome and pancreatic lipase activity. | Mitochondrial electron carrier at low doses (cytochrome c shuttle to complex IV) and methemoglobin reductase substrate at higher doses; potent MAO-A inhibitor across the dose range. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement; warning labels required above 800 mg/day in some EU jurisdictions | Prescription (injectable, FDA approved); supplement form (oral) widely available; not scheduled |
| WADA status | allowed | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled | Not scheduled in the US |
| Pregnancy | Avoid high-dose extracts; moderate green tea consumption appears acceptable | Contraindicated |
| CAS | 989-51-5 | 61-73-4 |
| PubChem CID | 65064 | 6099 |
| Wikidata | Q307091 | Q409021 |
Safety profile
EGCG
Common side effects
- nausea
- abdominal discomfort
- diarrhea
- jitteriness (with caffeine)
- sleep disruption (with caffeine)
Contraindications
- pregnancy at high-dose extracts
- active liver disease
- iron deficiency anemia (separate dosing)
Interactions
- iron supplements: reduces non-heme iron absorption; separate by 2 to 3 hours(moderate)
- anticoagulants: additive effects at high catechin doses(minor)
- beta-blockers (nadolol): reduced absorption when taken simultaneously(moderate)
- hepatotoxic supplements (high-dose niacin, kava): theoretical additive hepatotoxicity at high EGCG doses(moderate)
- stimulants and caffeine: additive thermogenic and cardiovascular effects(minor)
Methylene Blue
Common side effects
- blue-green urine and sweat
- skin and oral mucosa staining
- GI upset
- headache
- dizziness
Contraindications
- G6PD deficiency
- pregnancy
- concurrent serotonergic medication
- severe renal impairment
- infants under 6 months
Interactions
- SSRIs and SNRIs: serotonin syndrome, potentially fatal(major)
- MAOIs: additive MAO inhibition, serotonin syndrome risk(major)
- fentanyl, tramadol, meperidine: serotonin syndrome risk(major)
- dextromethorphan: serotonin syndrome risk(major)
- St John's wort: serotonin syndrome risk(major)
- lithium: additive serotonergic risk(major)
Which Should You Take?
EGCG comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-B outcome catalogued. Methylene Blue is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick EGCG.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick EGCG.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Methylene Blue.
- → If your priority is mitochondrial function, pick Methylene Blue.
Edge case: If you want to avoid controlled substance, EGCG is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: EGCG. Lower friction to source, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Methylene Blue only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between EGCG and Methylene Blue?
EGCG and Methylene Blue differ in category (natural vs pharmaceutical), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, EGCG or Methylene Blue?
EGCG half-life is 3 hours; Methylene Blue half-life is 5.5 hours.
Can you stack EGCG with Methylene Blue?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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