Fomepizole

Fomepizole is a medication that inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase, limiting the formation of toxic metabolites after methanol or ethylene glycol ingestion.

Alcohol dehydrogenase: An enzyme that oxidizes alcohols, including ethanol, methanol, and ethylene glycol. Fomepizole binds this enzyme and slows the first step in toxic alcohol metabolism.
Antidote: A substance used to prevent, neutralize, or counteract the harmful effects of a poison. Fomepizole is an antidote for selected toxic alcohol exposures.
Methanol: The simplest alcohol, used in industrial products and toxic to humans when ingested. It is one of the two parent alcohols for which fomepizole is used.
Ethanol therapy for toxic alcohol poisoning: Treatment that uses ethanol to occupy alcohol dehydrogenase and slow toxic alcohol metabolism. Ethanol uses the same enzyme target but is harder to maintain at a controlled therapeutic level.
Methanol poisoning: A toxic condition caused by methanol and its metabolites, especially formic acid. Blocking methanol breakdown with fomepizole limits formic acid formation.
Hemodialysis: A treatment that removes dissolved substances and excess fluid from blood across a dialyzer membrane. Severe poisoning may require dialysis alongside fomepizole to remove toxins and metabolites.
Ethylene glycol: A sweet-tasting industrial liquid used chiefly in antifreeze and capable of causing fatal poisoning. It is the other parent alcohol whose metabolism fomepizole blocks.
Supportive care: Medical treatment that maintains vital functions without directly reversing the underlying cause. Supportive care manages complications but does not itself block toxic alcohol metabolism.
Ethylene glycol poisoning: A toxic condition caused by ethylene glycol and its acidic metabolites. Fomepizole prevents ethylene glycol from being converted into damaging acids.
Toxic alcohol: An alcohol capable of causing serious poisoning, such as methanol or ethylene glycol. Fomepizole is used against poisoning by two members of this group.

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