Asthmatics: too drunk to drive? The time curve of exhaled ethanol levels after use of Salamol in normal subjects.
Salamol, a new chlorofluorocarbon-free metered dose inhaler (MDI) containing salbutamol with small amounts of ethanol as a co-solvent, has been introduced in New Zealand. We evaluated the effect of breath alcohol levels after two inhalations from this MDI, and plotted a time-response curve. We tested 16 healthy volunteers. The breath alcohol levels rose to 1932 mcg/L immediately after inhalation with a standardised technique. We concluded that in all normal subjects their breath test was negative after 3 minutes, and at least a 5 minute wait post Salamol inhalation is necessary before roadside breath testing should be undertaken, otherwise a failed breath test is likely.
O'Connell
Oisin
O
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch.
Beckert
Lutz
L
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D013997:Time Factors
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D000420:Albuterol