For ethylene glycol poisoning

An antidote has been found for ethylene glycol poisonings, but it is too costly for most hospitals. Ethylene glycol is a main ingredient in automotive antifreeze and other products. Every year, at least 6,000 people fall victim to ethylene glycol poisoning, which can lead to permanent disability or death unless it is treated immediately. Traditional treatment is complicated and tricky, but the new drug fomepizole (Antizol Orphan Medical, Inc.) has been found to be a proven antidote (Leary, 1999). 

As with methanol poisoning, early fomepizole or ethanol infusion and hemodialysis are standard treatments for ethylene glycol poisoning. Fomepizole, an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, has FDA approval for treatment of ethylene glycol poisoning in adults based on its ability to decrease concentrations of toxic metabolites in blood and urine and to prevent... 

Jacobsen D New treatment for ethylene glycol poisoning. N Engl J Med 1999 340 879. 

Fortunately, treatment is possible, using alcohol (that is, ethyl alcohol), the same treatment as for ethylene glycol poisoning. The acidity is also treated with bicarbonate of soda. Methyl alcohol is eliminated from the body slowly, and so repeated intake, as in those who drink meths, could lead to cumulative poisoning. 

Ethanol Methanol or ethylene glycol Fomepizole (ADH inhibitor) was recently approved for ethylene glycol poisoning... 

Most tj es of antifreeze used in cars are solutions of ethylene glycol. Every year, thousands of dogs and cats die from ethylene glycol poisoning because they consume improperly stored antifreeze or antifreeze that has leaked out of a radiator. The antifreeze has a somewhat sweet taste, which attracts a curious dog or cat. Young children are also at risk for ethylene glycol poisoning. 

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