ELEVATION OF BREATH ETHANOL MEASUREMENTS BY METERED-DOSE INHALERS

Study objective: Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) may contain as much as 3 8% ethanol. We evaluated the effects of ethanol-containing MDIs on bre ath alcohol testing. Design: Prospective, single-blind, crossover, con trolled study. Participants: Three healthy male volunteers 29 to 36 ye ars old. Intervention: We studied three brands: Tornalate, (38% ethano l), Bronkometer, (30% ethanol), and Alupent, (0% ethanol). The effects of each MDI on breath and blood ethanol measurements were evaluated s eparately. Two puffs of each brand of MDI were administered. Breath et hanol measurements were obtained at baseline and .25, .5, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 minutes after MDI use. Blood ethanol measurements were obtained at baseline and 1 and 10 minutes after MDI use. Results: Overall, Tor nalate had the highest breath ethanol readings, with a mean ethanol le vel of 189 mg/dL recorded just after MDI use. Breath ethanol levels su bsequently decreased rapidly over time. Mean breath ethanol concentrat ions were lower after the use of Bronkometer and undetectable after th e use of Alupent. Conclusion: MDIs may cause elevations of breath alco hol above the legal criteria for intoxication. These effects are trans ient and may be prevented by a 10-minute interval between the use of a n MDI and breath alcohol testing.