How do you take Ethanol; Methanol?

This is NOT a drug you take on your own at home. Ethanol for methanol poisoning must be given in a hospital by a doctor. A loading dose is given first through a drip (IV) or by mouth, then a maintenance dose is continued until the methanol is cleared from your blood. If you or someone has swallowed methylated spirit, rush to the hospital immediately; do not try to treat it yourself.

What are the side effects of Ethanol; Methanol?

Feeling drunk or dizzy, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, low blood sugar (feeling weak, shaky, or sweating), irritation at the IV drip site

Who should not take Ethanol; Methanol?

This treatment is only for emergencies. However, people with severe liver disease may need alternative treatment (fomepizole if available). People who are unable to swallow safely should only receive it through IV. This is not a regular medication; it is an emergency antidote.

Prescription

Antidote

Ethanol; Methanol

Last reviewed July 2026

Who is this for?

For adults (18+). Standard adult dosing applies: see the How to Take tab for full instructions.

What is this drug?

Ethanol (also called ethyl alcohol) is used as an antidote to treat methanol (methylated spirit) poisoning. It works by competing with methanol in your body, blocking the formation of the toxic substances that cause blindness, organ damage, and death from methanol poisoning.

How it works

Inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzyme, preventing the conversion of methanol and ethylene glycol to their toxic metabolites (formic acid and oxalic acid respectively), thereby reducing organ damage and systemic toxicity.

What is it used for?

Methanol poisoning (e.g. from drinking methylated spirit like Galways or Nabicon Methylated Spirit by mistake or intentionally), ethylene glycol poisoning

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You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.

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What to watch out for

Methylated spirit (like Galways or Nabicon brands) is meant ONLY for external use such as cleaning wounds or surfaces, so it is extremely dangerous to drink and can cause permanent blindness or death. If someone drinks methylated spirit, do not wait for symptoms; rush to the nearest hospital immediately. Never use local remedies like palm oil or milk to treat poisoning at home, as they do not work and waste precious time.

Common Side Effects

Feeling drunk or dizzy
nausea and vomiting
drowsiness
low blood sugar (feeling weak, shaky, or sweating)
irritation at the IV drip site

Serious Side Effects

Difficulty breathing or very slow breathing
dangerously low blood sugar especially in children (can cause seizures)
inflammation of the vein where the drip is placed (pain, swelling, redness at the drip site)

Drug Interactions

Sedatives and sleeping pills: ethanol increases drowsiness dangerously. Drugs that affect the liver like paracetamol: using them together can increase liver damage risk. Metformin (diabetes drug): can increase the risk of a dangerous condition called lactic acidosis.

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Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Warning

Ethanol can harm an unborn baby, but in a life-threatening methanol poisoning situation, the doctor will weigh the risk, as saving the mother's life takes priority. Consult your doctor.

Who Should NOT Take This

This treatment is only for emergencies. However
people with severe liver disease may need alternative treatment (fomepizole if available). People who are unable to swallow safely should only receive it through IV. This is not a regular medication; it is an emergency antidote.

How to Store

Medical-grade ethanol is stored in the hospital pharmacy. Methylated spirit (which contains methanol) should be stored far away from food and drinks, clearly labeled as poison, and kept completely out of the reach of children.

For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.