Methanol half-life during ethanol administration: implications for management of methanol poisoning.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the half-life of methanol in methanol-poisoned patients who are treated with ethanol but not with hemodialysis.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
University Hospital, University of Manitoba.


METHODS
Three methanol-poisoned patients treated with ethanol but not with hemodialysis and three similar patients identified by a literature review.


RESULTS
Plots of terminal concentration versus time data were inconsistent with zero-order kinetics and were adequately explained by an apparent first-order process. The median half-life of methanol in these patients was 43.1 hours, with a range of 30.3 to 52.0 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the significantly increased risk of toxicity and complications during ethanol monotherapy, we suggest that hemodialysis be considered for methanol-poisoned patients who are treated with ethanol infusion.
Palatnick
W
W
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Manitoba, Brandon, Canada.
Redman
L W
LW
Sitar
D S
DS
Tenenbein
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000188:drug therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000506:poisoning*; D008875:Middle Aged
D000431:Ethanol; D000432:Methanol