Drugs and Poisons in Humans - A Handbook of Practical Analysis (Part 13)

Introduction: Methanol (methyl alcohol) poisoning accidents take place most frequently by drinking it in mistake for ethanol. Methanol poisoning is not due to the effect of methanol itself, but due to toxicity of its metabolites. Methanol is rapidly absorbed into human body through the airway mucous membranes, digestive tract mucous membranes or the skin; it is metabolized into formaldehyde (formalin, HCHO) and then formic acid (HCOOH) by the actions of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, respectively. Formic acid inhibits cytochrome oxidase in the optic nerves, and causes visual disturbances followed by the loss of eyesight. The accumulation of formic acid...