Medication Summary

Fomepizole (eg, 4-methylpyrizole, 4-MP, Antizol) has greater affinity for alcohol dehydrogenase than ethanol or methanol and has a considerably better safety profile than ethanol. Fomepizole has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ethylene glycol poisoning, but it is also useful for managing methanol poisoning.

B vitamins (ie, folic acid, pyridoxine, thiamine) may be useful in selected cases to reduce the toxicity of alcohol metabolites.

Class Summary

These agents prevent formation of toxic metabolites in methanol ingestions (not useful with isopropanol or ethanol ingestions). Therapy generally is maintained until methanol levels are less than 20 mg/dL.

Fomepizole (4-MP, Antizol)

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DOC for ethylene glycol and methanol poisoning because of ease of administration and better safety profile than ethanol. Inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase. In contrast to ethanol, 4-MP levels do not require monitoring during therapy.

Begin fomepizole treatment immediately upon suspicion of methanol/ethylene glycol ingestion based on the patient's history or anion gap metabolic acidosis, increased osmolar gap, oxalate crystals in the urine, or a documented serum methanol/ethylene glycol level. Adjust dosing during hemodialysis; see package insert.

Ethanol

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Has 10-20 times greater affinity for enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase than methanol does, blocking production of toxic metabolites.

Believed to inhibit ADH when serum levels exceed 0.05 g/dL (50 mg/dL). Titration to serum levels between 0.10 g/dL (100 mg/dL) and 0.15 g/dL (150 mg/dL) typically used.

Measure patient's initial blood level. May be administered PO/IV.

Folic acid (Folvite)

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Adjunctive agent in methanol ingestion. Member of vitamin B-complex that may enhance elimination of toxic metabolite formic acid produced when methanol is metabolized. Useful in methanol and possibly ethylene glycol toxicity. Leucovorin (folinic acid) is active form of folate and may be substituted for folic acid.

Folic acid should be administered for several days to enhance folate-dependent metabolism of formic acid to carbon dioxide and water.

Class Summary

In ethylene glycol poisoning, thiamine and pyridoxine shunt metabolism of glyoxylic acid away from oxalate and favor the formation of less toxic metabolites. In patients with ethanol-related hypoglycemia, especially those who are malnourished or alcoholics, pretreatment with thiamine may be necessary.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

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Pyridoxine

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Questions

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Author

Michael D Levine, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Section of Medical Toxicology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California

Michael D Levine, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine Residents' Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Tobias D Barker, MD Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine; Director, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center Simulation Center

Tobias D Barker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, Phi Beta Kappa, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD Regional Director of Pharmacy, Sacred Heart and St Joseph's Hospitals

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Burns, MD Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard University Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Michael J Burns, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jeter (Jay) Pritchard Taylor, III, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Attending Physician / Clinical Instructor, Compliance Officer, Department of Emergency Medicine, Prisma Health Richland Hospital

Jeter (Jay) Pritchard Taylor, III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Columbia Medical Society, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, South Carolina College of Emergency Physicians, South Carolina Medical Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Employed contractor - Chief Editor for Medscape.

Additional Contributors

Jeffrey Glenn Bowman, MD, MS Consulting Staff, Highfield MRI

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Asim Tarabar, MD Assistant Professor, Director, Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alcohol Toxicity Medication

Medication Summary

Pharmacologic antidotes