Antidote
Brand of Ethanol; Methanol
Last reviewed April 2026
Who is this for?
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.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
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.
Since this drug is given continuously in a hospital setting by medical professionals, missed doses are managed by the healthcare team. This is not something you manage yourself.
Methylated spirit (like Galways or Nabicon brands) is meant ONLY for external use such as cleaning wounds or surfaces — 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 — they do not work and waste precious time.
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.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Ethanol; with your other drugs?
Ethanol can harm an unborn baby, but in a life-threatening methanol poisoning situation, the doctor will weigh the risk — saving the mother's life takes priority. Consult your doctor.
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.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.
Genuine packaging for MGZ Magzo Methylated Spirit
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NAFDAC Number
A11-100983
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