Pharmacology of Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol)

<p>Liver (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Causes hypoglycemia (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Urine and breath (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alcohol poisoning in children (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Vasodilation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>100 mg/dL (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Severe depression of medullary centers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>0.5% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Euphoria (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gas chromatography (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rapid and shallow respiration (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ketoacidosis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Constricted pupils that dilate upon skin stimulation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Forced alkaline diuresis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sodium bicarbonate IV (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Slower metabolism and accumulation in the body (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Vitamin B6 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Inhibition of cytochrome oxidase in the optic nerve (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Activated charcoal for gastrointestinal decontamination (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Accidental consumption of adulterated ethanol (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hepatic metabolism primarily (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tachypnea (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To compete with methanol for alcohol dehydrogenase (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Intravenous activated charcoal (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hyperkalemia (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Methanol blood level greater than 20 mg/dL (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Disorientation and stupor (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fundus examination (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Reduction in cardiac output (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ethanol, a colorless liquid with a slight pleasant odor, is the primary alcohol found in beverages like beer, wine, and distilled spirits. It's produced through fermentation of sugar.

Absorption of ethanol mainly occurs in the small intestine, while a smaller portion is absorbed from the stomach and large intestine.

Ethanol spreads throughout the body, including tissues and fluids, and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It can also pass through the placenta to the developing fetus.

The liver primarily breaks down ethanol through enzymatic oxidation, with a much smaller portion metabolized in the kidneys.

Ethanol is excreted through urine, breath, and in small amounts through sweat, tears, bile, and other secretions.

Ethanol primarily affects the Central Nervous System (CNS) by depressing its function. This depression is directly proportional to the blood alcohol concentration.

Ethanol causes vasodilation, leading to a false feeling of warmth. However, because central thermal autoregulation is inhibited, the body temperature actually drops.

Ethanol metabolism significantly reduces the NAD/NADH ratio in the liver, leading to various metabolic consequences such as hypoglycemia, fat accumulation in the liver, and metabolic acidosis.

The level of alcohol in the blood that is considered legally intoxicated.

The stage of alcohol poisoning where the body experiences euphoria, talkativeness, and behavioral changes.

The stage of alcohol poisoning where the body experiences motor incoordination, slurred speech, and decreased motor skills.

The severe stage of alcohol poisoning where the body experiences seizures, coma, and respiratory depression.

A sign of alcohol poisoning that involves constricted pupils that dilate when pinching the skin of the face or neck.

A simple, colorimetric test that gives a relative approximation of the blood alcohol level.

A metabolic state characterized by high levels of ketones in the blood, often seen in alcoholics.

A set of emergency procedures that focus on maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation.

Methanol is quickly and fully absorbed from the digestive system. It can also enter the body through inhalation and skin contact.

Methanol is primarily distributed to the optic nerve, potentially leading to vision impairment.

Methanol can cause several health issues, including CNS depression, metabolic acidosis, and ocular toxicity.

Formic acid, a byproduct of methanol metabolism, is much more toxic than methanol itself, leading to various complications.

Methanol poisoning is a medical emergency. Treatment usually includes supportive care, ethanol administration, and dialysis.

Visual blurring, ocular pain, papilledema, optic atrophy, and irreversible blindness, affecting approximately 25% of cases.

Moderate to severe metabolic acidosis is a key feature, caused by toxic methanol metabolites. It manifests as tachypnea (rapid breathing), confusion, headache, and weakness. Severe acidosis can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia.

Vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration are common gastrointestinal symptoms.

Disorientation, stupor, and coma are caused by acidosis and the accumulation of formic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid. Seizures, encephalopathy, and respiratory depression (following tachypnea) also occur. These effects are linked to the severity of acidosis and coma.

Shock due to depression of the vasomotor center, severe vomiting, and myocardial depression, all secondary to acidosis and hyperkalemia.

Serum methanol level, fundus examination for optic nerve damage, visual evoked potential tests (initial and serial), and blood gas and electrolyte analysis (to monitor acidosis and hyperkalemia).

Supportive care (ABCs: airway, breathing, and circulation), gastric lavage with sodium bicarbonate, and elimination of the absorbed poison through forced alkaline diuresis or hemodialysis.

Ethanol competes for alcohol dehydrogenase (a key enzyme in methanol metabolism), preventing its conversion to toxic metabolites. 4-methyl pyrazole (4-MP) directly inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase, allowing methanol excretion as the parent compound. Both are utilized to counteract methanol's adverse effects.