Prussian Blue (Ferric Hexacyanoferrate)
Manufacturer & Supplier
Prussian Blue (Ferric Hexacyanoferrate) is the FDA-approved decorporation agent for internal contamination with radioactive caesium-137 and thallium. It is listed on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and is mandatory for national strategic stockpiles worldwide.
Golden Hour Pharma supplies pharmaceutical-grade Prussian Blue capsules to governments, defence agencies, hospitals, and institutional buyers across Africa, MENA, and Latin America.
Submit a Procurement InquiryWhat Is Prussian Blue (Ferric Hexacyanoferrate)?
Prussian Blue — chemically known as insoluble Ferric Hexacyanoferrate (Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3) — is an orally administered pharmaceutical agent used for the treatment of internal contamination with radioactive caesium (Cs-137) and thallium. It is available as 500 mg capsules for oral administration.
Prussian Blue was granted FDA approval in 2003 under the brand name Radiogardase for the treatment of known or suspected internal contamination with radioactive caesium and/or radioactive or non-radioactive thallium. It is the only FDA-approved decorporation agent for these specific radioisotopes.
Prussian Blue is included on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, recognising it as a critical medicine that every national health system should have available. The U.S. CDC and the IAEA both recommend Prussian Blue as part of strategic national stockpiles for radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness.
Key Facts
Clinical Indications — Radioactive Caesium and Thallium Contamination
Caesium-137 (Cs-137) Contamination
Caesium-137 is the most common radioisotope released during nuclear incidents and is the primary fallout contaminant in nuclear detonations and reactor accidents. It enters the body through inhalation, ingestion of contaminated food or water, or wound contamination.
Without treatment, Cs-137 distributes throughout soft tissue with a biological half-life of approximately 110 days. The Goiania incident in Brazil (1987) — where a stolen medical source led to widespread caesium contamination — demonstrated the critical importance of having Prussian Blue stockpiled and available for rapid administration.
Thallium Contamination
Thallium (Tl-201) is used in medical imaging and nuclear medicine. Both radioactive and non-radioactive thallium poisoning can be treated with Prussian Blue. Thallium salts are highly toxic and can be encountered in industrial, accidental, or deliberate exposure scenarios.
The Chernobyl disaster (1986) remains the most significant case study in large-scale radiological contamination. Combined with Goiania and other incidents, these events established the clinical evidence base for Prussian Blue as the standard of care for caesium and thallium decontamination.
Important Distinction
Prussian Blue is not a radiation shield and does not protect against external radiation exposure. It is a post-exposure decorporation agent that binds Cs-137 and thallium ions in the gastrointestinal tract after internal contamination has occurred. For thyroid protection against radioactive iodine, see Potassium Iodide for thyroid protection.
Mechanism of Action
How Prussian Blue accelerates elimination of radioactive caesium and thallium from the body.
Ion Exchange in the GI Tract
Prussian Blue works through ion exchange and physical adsorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The crystal lattice structure of insoluble Ferric Hexacyanoferrate has a high affinity for caesium (Cs+) and thallium (Tl+) ions, trapping them within its lattice and preventing their reabsorption through the intestinal wall.
Reduced Biological Half-Life
Without treatment, caesium-137 has a biological half-life of approximately 110 days. Prussian Blue reduces this to approximately 30 days — a reduction of roughly 70%. This significantly decreases the total radiation dose absorbed by the patient, reducing the risk of radiation-induced illness and long-term health effects.
Post-Exposure Administration Only
Prussian Blue must be administered after confirmed or suspected internal contamination. It is not a prophylactic and provides no benefit when taken before exposure. Treatment should begin as soon as possible after contamination is confirmed or suspected, and may continue for a minimum of 30 days depending on contamination levels.
Clinical Dosage Protocol
Standard adult dosing is 3 grams orally, three times daily. Paediatric dosing (ages 2–12) is 1 gram, three times daily. Capsules may be opened and mixed with food or liquid for patients who cannot swallow capsules. All dosing decisions must follow established clinical protocols and be supervised by qualified medical professionals.
Available Forms and Specifications
Capsules — 500 mg
Pharmaceutical-grade Prussian Blue (Ferric Hexacyanoferrate) in 500 mg capsules. The standard finished dosage form for institutional stockpiles and clinical use. Supplied with batch-level Certificates of Analysis.
Bulk Pharmaceutical Grade
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) — insoluble Ferric Hexacyanoferrate in bulk powder form for institutional buyers, defence agencies, or manufacturers requiring raw material for formulation or repackaging.
Custom Packaging & Labelling
Custom packaging configurations, private labelling, and country-specific regulatory labelling are available for institutional orders. Packaging can be adapted to meet national regulatory requirements and stockpile storage standards.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
Every batch of Prussian Blue supplied by Golden Hour Pharma is manufactured in WHO-GMP certified facilities. Each shipment is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis confirming identity, purity, potency, and compliance with pharmacopeial specifications. Our quality assurance processes include raw material testing, in-process controls, finished product testing, and stability studies.
We maintain complete batch traceability from raw material sourcing through final product delivery, ensuring full accountability and regulatory compliance at every stage.
How to Procure Prussian Blue Through Golden Hour Pharma
A streamlined procurement process designed for institutional buyers, government agencies, and healthcare organisations.
Submit an Inquiry
Contact us with your requirements — quantity, delivery timeline, destination country, and any regulatory documentation needs.
Receive a Quotation
Our team prepares a detailed quotation including pricing, packaging options, regulatory documentation, and estimated delivery timelines.
Documentation & Compliance
We provide all required documentation — Certificates of Analysis, WHO-GMP certificates, product dossiers, and import-ready regulatory paperwork.
Manufacturing & Delivery
Your order is manufactured, batch-validated, quality-inspected, and shipped with full cold-chain compliance and shipment tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prussian Blue the same as Radiogardase?
Yes. Radiogardase is the branded name for pharmaceutical-grade Prussian Blue (Ferric Hexacyanoferrate). The active pharmaceutical ingredient is the same — insoluble Prussian Blue (Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3). Golden Hour Pharma supplies pharmaceutical-grade Ferric Hexacyanoferrate manufactured to WHO-GMP standards, the same API used in Radiogardase.
Is pharmaceutical Prussian Blue the same as the paint pigment?
No. While Prussian Blue was historically used as a pigment, the pharmaceutical form is manufactured under strict WHO-GMP conditions with rigorous purity controls, batch validation, and Certificates of Analysis. Pharmaceutical-grade Ferric Hexacyanoferrate is specifically formulated as insoluble Prussian Blue capsules for oral administration and is free of the impurities found in industrial-grade pigment.
Does Prussian Blue protect against all types of radiation?
No. Prussian Blue is specifically indicated for internal contamination with radioactive caesium (Cs-137) and thallium (Tl-201). It does not protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine — that requires Potassium Iodide (KI). It does not shield against external radiation exposure. Prussian Blue works by binding caesium and thallium ions in the gastrointestinal tract, accelerating their elimination from the body after internal contamination has occurred.
Can Prussian Blue be used preventively before radiation exposure?
No. Prussian Blue is a post-exposure decontamination agent, not a prophylactic. It must be administered after confirmed or suspected internal contamination with Cs-137 or thallium. It works by trapping these ions in the gut and preventing their reabsorption into the body. Pre-exposure use provides no protective benefit. For thyroid protection prior to radioactive iodine exposure, Potassium Iodide is the appropriate agent.
Secure Your Supply of Prussian Blue
Golden Hour Pharma is your single point of contact for pharmaceutical-grade Prussian Blue (Ferric Hexacyanoferrate). Whether you are building a national stockpile, equipping a hospital network, or fulfilling a defence procurement requirement — we provide compliant, validated supply with full documentation.
Explore our full range of nuclear and radiological emergency antidotes, or learn more about Potassium Iodide for thyroid protection.