Methanol intoxication. How to help patients who have been exposed to toxic solvents

Postgrad Med. 1993 Jun;93(8):183-4, 189-91, 194. doi: 10.1080/00325481.1993.11701725.

Abstract

Methanol intoxication can be a challenge, in part because it is relatively uncommon but also because of the pharmacokinetics involved. A patient may not experience symptoms and thus may not present for treatment for several hours, or even a day or two, after exposure to the toxic substance. Yet, the interval between ingestion and treatment is one of the most important factors in determining patient outcome. Typical symptoms of methanol intoxication include lethargy, vertigo, vomiting, blurred vision, and decreased visual acuity. Treatment focuses on prevention of methanol conversion to its toxic metabolites, correction of metabolic acidosis, and elimination of the toxic substances from the system. Ethanol and bicarbonate administration and hemodialysis have been effective.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis, Lactic / etiology
  • Acidosis, Lactic / therapy
  • Bicarbonates / administration & dosage
  • Bicarbonates / therapeutic use
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage
  • Ethanol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate
  • Methanol / metabolism
  • Methanol / pharmacokinetics
  • Methanol / poisoning*
  • Poisoning / complications
  • Poisoning / diagnosis
  • Poisoning / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Sodium / administration & dosage
  • Sodium / therapeutic use
  • Sodium Bicarbonate

Substances

  • Bicarbonates
  • Ethanol
  • Sodium Bicarbonate
  • Sodium
  • Methanol