T51.1XXA — Toxic effects of methanol, accidental, initial encounter
T51.1XXS — Toxic effects of methanol, sequelae
Z77.010 — Contact with and (suspected) exposure to arsenic (for occupational codes if relevant)
Patient Discharge Instructions
copy discharge instructions
Discharge instructions for methanol toxicity
What happened to you
You were treated for poisoning caused by methanol (methyl alcohol)
Methanol is found in windshield washer fluid, industrial solvents, and some illicit spirits
It is NOT safe to drink and causes serious injury to eyes, brain, and other organs
Medications prescribed
Take all prescribed medications as directed
Do not drink any alcohol for at least 2 weeks after discharge (or as advised by your doctor)
Follow-up appointments — critically important
Eye doctor (ophthalmologist) within 1-2 weeks
Even if your vision seems normal now, delayed damage is possible
Neurologist if any weakness, tremor, or memory concerns
Addiction medicine or psychiatry if this ingestion was intentional or related to alcohol use disorder
Return to emergency department immediately for
Any new or worsening blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss
New or worsening headache
Confusion, difficulty speaking, or difficulty walking
Seizures
Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Any concern about your recovery
Prevention — very important
Never drink any product not specifically labeled as safe beverage alcohol
Windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, solvents, and industrial alcohols are poisonous — even small amounts can blind or kill
If you drink alcohol regularly, speak with your doctor about safer alternatives and support programs
If this was accidental at work, report the exposure to occupational health
References
Guidelines and key sources
EXTRIP Working Group consensus statement
Roberts DM, Yates C, Megarbane B, et al.
Recommendations for the Role of Extracorporeal Treatments in the Management of Acute Methanol Poisoning
Critical Care Medicine, 2015
PMID 25493973
NEJM landmark review — fomepizole
Brent J.
Fomepizole for Ethylene Glycol and Methanol Poisoning
New England Journal of Medicine, 2009
DOI 10.1056/NEJMct0806112
NEJM comprehensive review — toxic alcohols
Kraut JA, Mullins ME.
Toxic Alcohols
New England Journal of Medicine, 2018
DOI 10.1056/NEJMra1615295
Treatment approach review
Kraut JA.
Approach to the Treatment of Methanol Intoxication
American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2016
PMID 27180631
Hemodialysis modality comparison
Zakharov S, Pelclova D, Navratil T, et al.
Intermittent Hemodialysis Is Superior to Continuous Veno-Venous Hemodialysis/Hemodiafiltration
Kidney International, 2014
PMID 24621917
Prognostic outcomes study
AlSamh DA, Kramer AH.
Neurologic Complications in Critically Ill Patients With Toxic Alcohol Poisoning
Neurocritical Care, 2024
PMID 37697128
COVID-19 pandemic outbreak report
Yip L, Bixler D, Brooks DE, et al.
Serious Adverse Health Events Including Death Associated With Ingesting Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Containing Methanol
MMWR, 2020
PMID 32790662
Outcome predictors
Agackiran I, Agackiran ML.
Lactate-to-Albumin Ratio and Albumin-Corrected Anion Gap as Predictors of Outcome in Methanol Poisoning
PLoS One, 2025
PMID 41343570
Circulus hypoxicus mechanism
Drangsholt E, Vangstad M, Zakharov S, Hovda KE, Jacobsen D.
The Hypothesis of Circulus Hypoxicus and Its Clinical Relevance in Patients With Methanol Poisoning
Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2018
PMID 29923671
Emergency medicine review
Inman B, Maddry JK, Ng PC, Koyfman A, Long B.
High Risk and Low Prevalence Diseases: Toxic Alcohol Ingestion
American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2023
PMID 36796238
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.