The Perils of Methanol Exposure: Insights into Toxicity and Clinical Management

Methanol is a widely used industrial and household alcohol that poses significant health risks upon exposure. Despite its extensive use, methanol poisoning remains a critical public health concern globally, often resulting from accidental or intentional ingestion and outbreaks linked to contaminated...

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Main Authors: Mohammed Alrashed, Norah S. Aldeghaither, Shatha Y. Almutairi, Meshari Almutairi, Abdulrhman Alghamdi, Tariq Alqahtani, Ghada H. Almojathel, Nada A. Alnassar, Sultan M. Alghadeer, Abdulmajeed Alshehri, Mohammed Alnuhait, Omar A. Almohammed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Toxics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/12/924
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author Mohammed Alrashed
Norah S. Aldeghaither
Shatha Y. Almutairi
Meshari Almutairi
Abdulrhman Alghamdi
Tariq Alqahtani
Ghada H. Almojathel
Nada A. Alnassar
Sultan M. Alghadeer
Abdulmajeed Alshehri
Mohammed Alnuhait
Omar A. Almohammed
author_facet Mohammed Alrashed
Norah S. Aldeghaither
Shatha Y. Almutairi
Meshari Almutairi
Abdulrhman Alghamdi
Tariq Alqahtani
Ghada H. Almojathel
Nada A. Alnassar
Sultan M. Alghadeer
Abdulmajeed Alshehri
Mohammed Alnuhait
Omar A. Almohammed
author_sort Mohammed Alrashed
collection DOAJ
description Methanol is a widely used industrial and household alcohol that poses significant health risks upon exposure. Despite its extensive use, methanol poisoning remains a critical public health concern globally, often resulting from accidental or intentional ingestion and outbreaks linked to contaminated beverages. Methanol toxicity stems from its metabolic conversion to formaldehyde and formic acid, leading to severe metabolic acidosis and multiorgan damage, including profound CNS effects and visual impairments. Epidemiological data underscore the widespread impact of methanol poisoning, with alarming case fatality rates reported in various countries. Comprehensive prevention and effective management strategies are urgently needed to address the significant morbidity and mortality associated with methanol poisoning. The clinical manifestations of methanol toxicity vary between adult and pediatric populations and between acute and chronic exposure. Adults typically present with gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, whereas pediatric patients often exhibit more severe outcomes due to differences in metabolism and body weight. The diagnosis of methanol poisoning involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and advanced diagnostic techniques. The identification of metabolic acidosis, elevated anion and osmolal gaps, and confirmation through methanol and formate levels are critical for accurate diagnosis. Timely intervention is crucial, and the management of methanol poisoning includes securing the airway, breathing, and circulation; addressing metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate; administering antidotes such as fomepizole or ethanol; and administering hemodialysis, which plays a pivotal role in eliminating methanol and its toxic metabolites, especially in severe cases. The complexity of methanol poisoning necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing early recognition, prompt intervention, and coordinated care among healthcare providers. Increased awareness, effective prevention strategies, and timely treatment protocols are essential to mitigate severe health consequences and improve patient survival and recovery.
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spelling doaj-art-5e26183ef98540168c826040263c4fe32024-12-27T14:56:49ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042024-12-01121292410.3390/toxics12120924The Perils of Methanol Exposure: Insights into Toxicity and Clinical ManagementMohammed Alrashed0Norah S. Aldeghaither1Shatha Y. Almutairi2Meshari Almutairi3Abdulrhman Alghamdi4Tariq Alqahtani5Ghada H. Almojathel6Nada A. Alnassar7Sultan M. Alghadeer8Abdulmajeed Alshehri9Mohammed Alnuhait10Omar A. Almohammed11Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 14611, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 14611, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 14611, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 14611, Saudi ArabiaEmergency Medical Services Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 14611, Saudi ArabiaKing Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 12371, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 12371, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 12371, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 14611, Saudi ArabiaPharmaceutical Practices Department, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 12371, Saudi ArabiaMethanol is a widely used industrial and household alcohol that poses significant health risks upon exposure. Despite its extensive use, methanol poisoning remains a critical public health concern globally, often resulting from accidental or intentional ingestion and outbreaks linked to contaminated beverages. Methanol toxicity stems from its metabolic conversion to formaldehyde and formic acid, leading to severe metabolic acidosis and multiorgan damage, including profound CNS effects and visual impairments. Epidemiological data underscore the widespread impact of methanol poisoning, with alarming case fatality rates reported in various countries. Comprehensive prevention and effective management strategies are urgently needed to address the significant morbidity and mortality associated with methanol poisoning. The clinical manifestations of methanol toxicity vary between adult and pediatric populations and between acute and chronic exposure. Adults typically present with gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, whereas pediatric patients often exhibit more severe outcomes due to differences in metabolism and body weight. The diagnosis of methanol poisoning involves a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and advanced diagnostic techniques. The identification of metabolic acidosis, elevated anion and osmolal gaps, and confirmation through methanol and formate levels are critical for accurate diagnosis. Timely intervention is crucial, and the management of methanol poisoning includes securing the airway, breathing, and circulation; addressing metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate; administering antidotes such as fomepizole or ethanol; and administering hemodialysis, which plays a pivotal role in eliminating methanol and its toxic metabolites, especially in severe cases. The complexity of methanol poisoning necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing early recognition, prompt intervention, and coordinated care among healthcare providers. Increased awareness, effective prevention strategies, and timely treatment protocols are essential to mitigate severe health consequences and improve patient survival and recovery.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/12/924methanoltoxicitypathophysiologyclinical presentationdiagnosticsmanagement
spellingShingle Mohammed Alrashed
Norah S. Aldeghaither
Shatha Y. Almutairi
Meshari Almutairi
Abdulrhman Alghamdi
Tariq Alqahtani
Ghada H. Almojathel
Nada A. Alnassar
Sultan M. Alghadeer
Abdulmajeed Alshehri
Mohammed Alnuhait
Omar A. Almohammed
The Perils of Methanol Exposure: Insights into Toxicity and Clinical Management
Toxics
methanol
toxicity
pathophysiology
clinical presentation
diagnostics
management
title The Perils of Methanol Exposure: Insights into Toxicity and Clinical Management
title_full The Perils of Methanol Exposure: Insights into Toxicity and Clinical Management
title_fullStr The Perils of Methanol Exposure: Insights into Toxicity and Clinical Management
title_full_unstemmed The Perils of Methanol Exposure: Insights into Toxicity and Clinical Management
title_short The Perils of Methanol Exposure: Insights into Toxicity and Clinical Management
title_sort perils of methanol exposure insights into toxicity and clinical management
topic methanol
toxicity
pathophysiology
clinical presentation
diagnostics
management
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/12/924
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