Medical toxicology
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Methanol and ethylene glycol poisonings share many characteristics both clinically and biochemically. Both alcohols are metabolised via alcohol dehydrogenase to their toxic metabolites. Methanol is slowly metabolised to formaldehyde which is rapidly metabolised to formate, the metabolite mainly responsible for methanol toxicity. ⋯ Presence of ethanol will therefore inhibit formation of toxic metabolites from methanol and ethylene glycol. Due to competition for the enzyme, the therapeutic ethanol concentration depends on the concentration of the other two alcohols, but a therapeutic ethanol concentration around 22 mmol/L (100 mg/dl) is generally recommended. Most patients are, however, admitted at a late stage to hospitals not capable of performing analyses of these alcohols or their specific metabolites on a 24-hour basis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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By applying a sensible toxicological approach to the general principles of intensive care, an optimum setting for the treatment of poisoning is created. The intensive care unit (ICU) can perform the necessary close observation and monitoring, and thus facilitate rapid detection of symptoms, and the institution of early appropriate treatment. Diagnosis may be complex in poisoning and require continuous qualified interpretation of clinical and analytical data. ⋯ The capacity of the ICU to counteract various toxic effects in a nonspecific way and to provide optimum symptomatic and supportive care is crucial. However, the ongoing toxic effects on the body must always be considered and allowed to guide symptomatic treatment. Thus, clinical toxicology appears to be a specialised branch of intensive care medicine.