Treatment of Methanol Poisoning with Alcohol

Monitoring and Treatment

• The American College of Medical Toxicology recommends monitoring the anion gap (Na+ + K+ - Cl- - HCO3-) to evaluate the severity of methanol poisoning, with values >27 mmol/L indicating severe poisoning 1
• The treatment may include administering thiamine and pyridoxine as adjuvant therapy to support the patient's recovery 2
• Patients with severe metabolic acidosis (pH <7,1) that does not respond to treatment, visual disturbances, altered mental status, acute renal failure, or hemodynamic instability should be urgently referred for hemodialysis 1
• The treatment with ethanol should be continued until the methanol is eliminated from the body, and the anion gap and acidosis are normalized, which may take at least 24-48 hours after ingestion 1