Hypothermia, ethanol causing

Sedatives, opioids and ethanol cause signs that may include respiratory depression, miosis, hypo-reflexia, coma, hypotension and hypothermia. 

Attempts to diminish the overall metabolism of trichloroethylene might be useful (e.g., hypothermia, mixed-function oxidase inhibitors, competitive inhibitors of trichloroethylene metabolism [i.e., P-450 substrates]), if instituted soon enough after trichloroethylene exposure. Catecholamines (especially beta agonists) act in concert with trichloroethylene, increasing the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Hence, catecholamines should be administered to patients only in the lowest efficacious doses and for certain limited presentations of trichloroethylene poisoning. Ethanol should also be avoided because concurrent exposure to trichloroethylene and ethanol can cause vasodilation and malaise and may potentiate central nervous system depression at high dosage levels of either compound. 

Ethanol is a vasodilator, probably as a result of both CNS effects (depression of the vasomotor center) and direct smooth muscle relaxation caused by its metabolite, acetaldehyde. In cases of severe overdose, hypothermia—caused by vasodilation—may be marked in cold environments. Ethanol also relaxes the uterus and—before the introduction of more effective and safer uterine relaxants (eg, calcium channel antagonists)—was used intravenously for the suppression of premature labor. 

Patients with ethanol or sedative-hypnotic overdose may be euphoric and rowdy ("drunk") or in a state of stupor or coma ("dead drunk"). Comatose patients often have depressed respiratory drive. Depression of protective airway reflexes may result in aspiration of gastric contents. Hypothermia may be present because of environmental exposure and depressed shivering. Ethanol blood levels greater than 300 mg/dL usually cause deep coma, but regular users are often tolerant to the effects of ethanol and may be ambulatory despite even higher levels. Patients with GHB overdose are often deeply comatose for 3-4 hours and then awaken fully in a matter of minutes. 

Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant and ingestion of low to moderate quantities can lead to symptoms of intoxication including muscle incoordination, visual impairment, slurred speech, etc. Ingestion of higher concentrations may cause depression of medullary action, lethargy, amnesia, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, stupor, coma, respiratory depression, and cardiovascular collapse. The lethal human blood-alcohol concentration is generally estimated to be 400-500 mg/ 100 mL. 

A 30% ethanol extract of the Japanese valerian root ( Hokkai-Kisso ) extract (4.1 g/kg and 5.7 g/kg) and imipramine (20 mg/kg) also demonstrated statistically significant antidepressant effects compared to placebo as measured by the forced swimming test in rats (26). As in the Oshima study, kessyl glycol diacetate exhibited no antidepressant activity in the forced swimming test. Because the forced swimming test can be affected by stimulants, anticholinergics, and antihistamines as well as antidepressants, the effect of the valerian extract on reserpine-induced hypothermia, a test for antidepressant activity and inhibition of neuronal reuptake of monoamines, was measured. Both valerian (11.2 g/kg) and imipramine (20 mg/kg) reversed reserpine-induced hypothermia, suggesting that the antidepressant effect of valerian is caused by reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters, as with conventional antidepressants. 

Alcohol is a common cause of coma in all age ranges. Coma depth and length is associated with the amount of alcohol ingested, and this shows wide inter-paiiem variation. Alcoholic coma can be associated with head injuries, hypothermia and the presence of other drugs with which its action may be additive. In most cases, coma caused by ethanol will resolve relatively rapidly, the exception being when there is hepatic insufficiency. In cases where the blood alcohol level exceeds 80 mmol/l. haemodialysis may be required. The fact that alcohol can... 

Properties Colorless to amber oily liq. turns red to brn. on exposure to light and air sol. in DMSO, 95% ethanol, acetone sol. 5-10 mg/ml in water m.w. 137.18 sp.gr. 1.0652 (16/4 C) vapor pressure 3.48 mm Hg (25 C) m.p. 2-4 C b.p. 250 C flash pt. 115 C ref. index 1.5528 (20 C) Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) 580 mg/kg, (IP, mouse) 692 mg/kg LCLo (inh., rat) 250 mg/m harmful liq. and fumes highly toxic by inh. mod. toxic by ing. and unknown routes toxic by skin absorp. may cause irritation on contact readily absorbed thru skin danger of cumulative effects irritating to eyes, skin, respiratory system may cause cyanosis, hypothermia, headache, drowsiness, vomiting, nephritis and irritation of the alimentary tract TSCA listed... 

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