The rationale for using ethanol in methanol poisoning is that it:
Methanol produces toxic metabolites (formaldehyde and formic acid) that are responsible for blindness. This metabolism takes place with the help of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase. Ethanol is also metabolized by the same enzymes to produce acetaldehyde and acetic acid. It competes with methanol for above enzymes and inhibits the generation of toxic formaldehyde and formic acid. Ethanol inhibits ligand gated ion channel on NMDA receptor
Antagonises the actions of methanol
Stimulates the metabolism of methanol and reduces its blood level
Inhibits the metabolism of methanol and generation of toxic metabolite
Replenishes the folate stores depleted by methanol
Opioids and Alcohols