Health Encyclopedia

Methanol poisoning

Definition

Methanol is a non-drinking type of alcohol used for industrial and automotive purposes. This article discusses poisoning from an overdose of methanol.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Alternative Names

Wood alcohol poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient

Methyl alcohol

Where Found

Antifreeze
Canned heating sources
Copy machine fluids
Deicing fluid
Fuel additives (octane boosters)
Paint remover or thinner
Shellac
Varnish
Windshield wiper fluid

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Airway and lungs
- Breathing difficulty
- No breathing
Eyes
- Blindness
- Blurred vision
- Dilation of the pupils
Heart and blood
- Convulsions
- Low blood pressure
Nervous system
- Agitated behavior
- Coma
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Seizures
Skin and nails
- Bluish-colored lips and fingernails
Stomach and intestines
- Abdominal pain (severe)
- Diarrhea
- Liver function problems
- Nausea
- Pancreatitis
- Vomiting
Other
- Fatigue
- Leg cramps
- Weakness

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

Dialysis
Medicine (antidote) to reverse the effect of the poison (fomepizole or ethanol)
Medicines to treat symptoms
Tube through the nose or mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
Oxygen and breathing support
Other medications (folinic acid, bicarbonate)

Expectations (prognosis)

Methanol is extremely poisonous. As little as 2 tablespoons can be deadly to a child. About 2 to 8 ounces can be deadly for an adult. The ultimate outcome depends on how much poison was swallowed and how soon treatment was received.

References

Goldfrank LR, ed. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 8th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2006.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006: 2395-2398.

Review Date:2/3/2009
Reviewed By:John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Samaritan Regional Health System, Ashland, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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