title: Intravenous pyridoxine in acute ethanol intoxication.
abstract: Intravenous pyridoxine was evaluated as an agent for the reversal of ethanol-induced central nervous depression in a randomised double blind controlled study of 108 patients presenting with a clinical diagnosis of acute ethanol intoxication to two accident and emergency departments. Level of consciousness, measured by a modified Glasgow coma scale, showed no significant change after a single 1 g dose of intravenous pyridoxine when compared to controls given saline. The mean fall in blood alcohol concentration after one hour was 33 mg dl-1 (7.2 mmol l-1) in both groups suggesting that pyridoxine has no antidotal action and no short term effect on the rate of metabolism of ethanol.
authors.affiliation: Accident and Emergency Department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mardel
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Phair
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: O'Dwyer
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011736:Pyridoxine