Citation

Vale A. Medicine (Abingdon) 2007; 35(11): 615-616.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Medicine Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.mpmed.2007.08.015

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant and a peripheral vasodilator, thereby causing coma, hypothermia and hypotension in severe poisoning. Hypoglycaemia, particularly in children, is observed together with acid-base disturbances, which are common (respiratory acidosis is observed more frequently than metabolic acidosis, and metabolic alkalosis may be observed in those vomiting and hypovolaemic). Lactic acidosis (usually mild) is an uncommon but potentially serious complication. Supportive measures are all that are required for most patients, although haemodialysis may be considered if the blood ethanol concentration exceeds 7500 mg/L and severe metabolic acidosis is present.