Intravenous pyridoxine was evaluated as an agent for the reversal of ethanol-induced central nervous depression in a randomised double blind controlled study of 108 patients presenting with a clinical diagnosis of acute ethanol intoxication to two accident and emergency departments. Level of consciousness, measured by a modified Glasgow coma scale, showed no significant change after a single 1 g dose of intravenous pyridoxine when compared to controls given saline, The mean fall in blood alcohol concentration after one hour was 33 mg dl -1 (7.2 mmol l-1) in both groups suggesting that pyridoxine has no antidotal action and no short term effect on the rate of metabolism of ethanol.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Brown SS , Forrest Jah & Roscoe P.A controlled trial of fructose in the treatment of acute alcoholic intoxication . Lancet1972; ii: 898-900.
2.
Goldfrank LR & Starke CLToxicologic emergencies. In: Goldfrank, L.R. et al. (eds) Metabolic Acidosis in the Alcoholic. Norwalk: Appleton Century-Crofts, 1986: pp. 435-44.
3.
Jefferys DB , Flanagan RJ & Volans GNReversal of ethanol-induced coma with naloxone. Lancet1980, i: 308-9.
4.
Barros SR & Rodriguez GJNaloxone as an antagonist in alcohol intoxication. Anesthesiology1981, 2: 174.
5.
Klotz U. , Zeigler G., Rosenkranz B. & Mikus G.Does the benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15-1788 antagonise the action of ethanol?British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology1986; 22: 513-20.
6.
O'Sullivan GF & Wade DNFlumazenil in the management of acute drug overdosage with benzodiazepines and other agents. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics1987; 42: 254-9.
7.
Gould J.Treatment of delirium, psychosis, and coma due to drugs . Lancet1953; i: 570-3.
8.
Wordsworth VPIntravenous detoxication of drunkenness . Lancet1953; i: 935.
9.
Teasedale G. & Jennett B.Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness: a practical scale. Lancet1974; ii: 81-4.
10.
Adinoff B. , Bone Gha & Linnoila M.Acute ethanol poisoning and the ethanol withdrawal syndrome. Medical Toxicology1988; 3: 172-96.
11.
Alkana RL & Noble EPAmethystic agents. In: Majchrowicz E, Noble EP, (eds) Biochemistry and Pharmacology of Ethanol. New York: Plenum Press , 1979: pp. 349-74.
12.
Linnoila M. & Mattila MJHow to antagonise ethanol-induced inebriation . Pharmacology and Therapeutics1981; 15: 99-109.
13.
Nuotto E. , Palva ES & Lahdenranta U.Naloxone fails to counteract heavy alcohol intoxication . Lancet1983, ii: 167.
14.
Plum F. & Posner JBThe Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company, 1980: p. 244.
15.
Ryle PR & Thomson ADNutrition and vitamins in alcoholism. Contemporary Issues in Clinical Biochemistry1984; 1: 188-224.
16.
Boyle MJ , Vella L. & Moloney E.Role of drugs and alcohol in patients with head injury. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine1991, 84: 608-10.
17.
Penn NWEthanol antagonism by 5-hydroxymethyl cellular compounds . Life Science1975, 17: 1055-61.
18.
Basilio CM , Rovira II & Bernstein J.The effect of pyridoxine on the depressant effect of ethanol. Puerto Rica HealthScience Journal1989, 8: 301.
19.
Kolata G.New drug counters alcohol intoxication . Science1986, 234: 1198-9.
