Adult Dosing
Carbohydrate supplement
- 1-2 L/24 hour IV of 5% solution; rarely >3 L/24 hour
- Max: 200 mL/hour of 5% solution or 100 mL/hour of 10% solution
- Notes:
- 5% alcohol = 450 Cal/L
- 10% alcohol = 720 Cal/L
- Individualize total dose and infusion rate according to patients response and tolerance
Methanol intoxication (Not FDA Approved)
- Loading dose: 7.6-10 mL/Kg IV of 10% alcohol
- Maintenance dose:
- Chronic alcoholic: 1.95 mL/kg/hr
- Social drinker: 1.39 mL/kg/hr
- Nondrinker: 0.83 mL/kg/hr
- Note: Continue therapy until methanol level is <20 mg/dL
Ethylene glycol toxicity (Not FDA Approved)
- Loading dose: 7.6-10 mL/Kg IV of 10% alcohol
- Maintenance dose:
- Chronic alcoholic: 1.95 mL/kg/hr
- Social drinker: 1.39 mL/kg/hr
- Nondrinker: 0.83 mL/kg/hr
- Note: Continue therapy x3 days if ethylene glycol levels are unknown or until ethylene glycol level is <20 mg/dL, acidosis resolution, resolved clinical findings
Pediatric Dosing
Carbohydrate supplement
- 40 mL/Kg/24 hour IV of 5% solution; alt: 350-1000 mL depending on body size, clinical response
- Notes:
- 5% alcohol = 450 Cal/L
- Individualize total dose and infusion rate according to patients response and tolerance
Methanol intoxication (Not FDA Approved)
- Loading dose: 7.6-10 mL/Kg IV of 10% alcohol
- Maintenance dose:
- Chronic alcoholic: 1.95 mL/kg/hr
- Social drinker: 1.39 mL/kg/hr
- Nondrinker: 0.83 mL/kg/hr
- Note: Continue therapy until methanol level is <20 mg/dL
Ethylene glycol toxicity (Not FDA Approved)
- Loading dose: 7.6-10 mL/Kg IV of 10% alcohol
- Maintenance dose:
- Chronic alcoholic: 1.95 mL/kg/hr
- Social drinker: 1.39 mL/kg/hr
- Nondrinker: 0.83 mL/kg/hr
- Note: Continue therapy x3 days if ethylene glycol levels are unknown or until ethylene glycol level is <20 mg/dL, acidosis resolution, resolved clinical findings
Renal Dose Adjustment
- Renal impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustments not defined
Methanol intoxication (Not FDA Approved)
- Loading dose: 7.6-10 mL/Kg IV of 10% alcohol
- Maintenance dose:
- Chronic alcoholic: 3.95 mL/kg/hr
- Social drinker: 3.29 mL/kg/hr
- Nondrinker: 2.70 mL/kg/hr
- Note: Continue therapy until methanol level is <20 mg/dL
Ethylene glycol toxicity (Not FDA Approved)
- Loading dose: 7.6-10 mL/Kg IV of 10% alcohol
- Maintenance dose:
- Chronic alcoholic: 3.95 mL/kg/hr
- Social drinker: 3.29 mL/kg/hr
- Nondrinker: 2.70 mL/kg/hr
- Note: Continue therapy x3 days if ethylene glycol levels are unknown or until ethylene glycol level is <20 mg/dL, acidosis resolution, resolved clinical findings
Hepatic Dose Adjustment
- Hepatic impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustments not defined
- Alcohol when used alone may cause or potentiate vitamin deficiencies and certain liver abnormalities
- Alcohol may be passed in the milk of lactating women. As alcohol rapidly crosses the placenta it may also enter fetal circulation, Carefully consider alcohol therapy during pregnancy
- Monitor patients for signs of restlessness or narcosis
- Avoid concomitant use with phenytoin, warfarin and tolbutamide
- May cause postural hypotension
- In case pumping device is used for administration, take utmost care to discontinue pumping action before the container runs dry as air embolism may occur
- Inspect the infusate for clarity immediately after mixing, prior to use, and periodically during use
- Determine serum glucose levels and blood ethanol at the end of the loading dose and also at every hour until maintenance dose is adjusted. Then determine 2-3 times daily, along with blood glucose. Dialysis patients require frequent monitoring
- During prolong therapy or as warranted clinically evaluate and periodically determine laboratory parameters to monitor fluid balance, electrolyte concentrations and acid-base balance
- In diabetics, alcohol will decrease blood sugar. In diabetics with no treatment alcohol metabolism rate will be reduced
- Dilution of serum electrolyte concentrations, overhydration, congested states or pulmonary edema may occur if fluid and/or solute are overloaded during intravenous use
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Renal impairment
- Hepatic impairment
- Subclinical or overt diabetes mellitus
- Cranial surgery
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Shock
- Use with concomitant antihypertensives
- Geriatrics
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: May decrease milk production with 
5 drinks thereby disrupting nursing until maternal alcohol levels decrease. Some evidence suggests that infant growth and motor function may be affected by 1 drink/day, 1 glass of wine/day is less likely to cause short- or long-term effects in the nursing infant, if the mother awaits 2-2.5 hours/drink before nursing. Daily heavy alcohol use may adversely affect infants. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 13 July 2012). As alcohol is passed in milk of lactating women, exercise caution.
