Paucis Verbis: Toxic alcohols – Isopropyl alcohol

Continuing on the theme of Toxic Alcohols (osmolal gap, ethylene glycol, methanol), this Paucis Verbis card focuses on isopropyl alcohol toxicity, which is commonly found in rubbing alcohols. In this toxic alcohol, fomipezole is actually NOT indicated because you want to have alcohol dehydrogenase convert the toxic parent compound (isopropyl alcohol) into the nontoxic metabolite (acetone).

Note that these are merely guidelines and you should tailor management plans with your toxicologist and nephrologist.

PV Card: Isopropyl Alcohol Toxicity

Adapted from [1, 2]
Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.

References

1. Kraut J, Kurtz I. Toxic alcohol ingestions: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008;3(1):208-225. [PubMed]
2. Jammalamadaka D, Raissi S. Ethylene glycol, methanol and isopropyl alcohol intoxication. Am J Med Sci. 2010;339(3):276-281. [PubMed]

Author information

Michelle Lin, MD

ALiEM Founder and CEO
Professor and Digital Innovation Lab Director
Department of Emergency Medicine
University of California, San Francisco

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