Like ethanol, it inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase, but it is more potent and has fewer potential adverse effects. The recommended dose of thiamine is 100 mg, given intramuscularly or intrave-nously every 6 hours. However, the use of pyridoxine is controversial because of insufficient data and the risk of peripheral neuropathy. If pyridoxine is used, we recommend that it be given at the lower dose. Summary Ingested ethylene glycol is readily absorbed and metabolized into toxic metabolites that can cause CNS depression, cardiopulmonary failure, and renal failure.
Thorough history taking, physical examination, and laboratory testing are essential for diagnosis.
Careful differential diagnosis is important because symptoms of ethylene glycol poisoning are similar to those of other intoxicants. Early, aggressive treatment with appropriate therapies, such as ethanol therapy, hemodialysis, vitamin cofactors, and antidotal agents, is necessary to prevent permanent disability or death. Ethylene glycol poisoning revisited. Antidotes for methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. Complete recovery after massive ethylene glycol ingestion.