From the Research
Isopropyl alcohol poisoning requires immediate medical attention, and treatment should focus on supportive care, including IV fluids, medications to control nausea and vomiting, and possibly hemodialysis in severe cases. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, published in 2024, highlights the importance of prompt treatment and the potential use of hemodialysis in severe cases. According to this study, hemodialysis can enhance the elimination of isopropanol and acetone, and should be considered in very severe poisonings.
Key Considerations
- Call emergency services (911) or poison control (1-800-222-1222) right away if someone has ingested isopropyl alcohol
- Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by medical professionals
- Keep the person awake and monitor their breathing while waiting for help
- Medical treatment typically involves supportive care, including:
- IV fluids to prevent dehydration
- Medications to control nausea and vomiting
- Possibly hemodialysis in severe cases to remove the alcohol from the bloodstream
- Activated charcoal is not effective for alcohol poisoning, as noted in 2 and 3
- Oxygen therapy may be needed if breathing is compromised
- Healthcare providers will monitor vital signs, blood glucose levels, and electrolyte balance
Pathophysiology and Diagnosis
Isopropyl alcohol is converted to acetone in the body, which can cause central nervous system depression, respiratory issues, and metabolic acidosis, as discussed in 2 and 4. Diagnosis can be made via clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory values, including an elevated osmolar gap and ketonemia or ketonuria without metabolic acidosis, as outlined in 2 and 4.
Treatment Recommendations
Unlike ethylene glycol or methanol poisoning, fomepizole or ethanol therapy is not typically used for isopropyl alcohol poisoning, since its metabolite (acetone) is less toxic than the metabolites of other alcohols, as noted in 2, 4, and 3. The primary focus of treatment should be on supportive care and, in severe cases, hemodialysis, as recommended in 1.