INTRAVENOUS 4-METHYLPYRAZOLE AS AN ANTIDOTE FOR DIETHYLENE GLYCOL ANDTRIETHYLENE GLYCOL POISONING - A CASE-REPORT

Diethylene glycol (DEC) intoxication resembles that of ethylene glycol , with progressive inebriation, anion gap metabolic acidosis, renal fa ilure, coma and death. DEC is oxidized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to more toxic byproducts, thus blockade of ADH might be beneficial. Tr iethylene glycol (TEC), also metabolized by ADH, is less toxic. A youn g female suicidally ingested DEC and TEG, presenting in metabolic acid osis with coma. Given 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), an ADH inhibitor, the a cidosis resolved, the patient recovered and was discharged without seq uelae. 4-MP, if supported by further studies, may be useful in DEC poi soning.