Pathophys:Converted by alcohol dehydrogenase to formic acid, which causes brain and optic nerve toxicity and acidosis
Lab and Xray⬆⬇
Lab:Methanol level >20 mg %; high osmolar gap (see ethylene glycol above), r/o ethylene glycol and/or alcohol ingestion
Treatment⬆
Rx:
Alcohol dehydrogenase inhibition w: ethanol iv, or fomepizole (Antizol) (Nejm 2009;360:2216; 2001;344:424) 15 mg/kg iv over 30 min, then 10 mg/kg q12h × 4 doses, then 15 mg/kg q12h until livel <20 mg %; usually takes 4 doses