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Chapter-23 Alcohols

BOOK TITLE: Textbook of Pharmacology for Dental and Allied Health Sciences

Author
1. Udaykumar Padmaja
ISBN
9788184481495
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/10941_23
Edition
2/e
Publishing Year
2007
Pages
3
Author Affiliations
1. Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Ethyl alcohol is a monohydroxy alcohol manufactured by fermentation of sugars. It is a colorless, volatile, inflammable liquid. The ethanol content of various alcoholic beverages ranges from 4–55%. On topical application, ethanol evaporates quickly. Alcohol is also an antiseptic. It is CNS depressant, small doses cause euphoria, relief of anxiety and loss of social inhibitions. Chronic consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol results in accumulation of fat in the liver, enlargement and cirrhosis. Acute alcoholic intoxication causes severe gastritis, hypotension, hypoglycemia, respiratory depression, coma and death. Chronic alcoholism causes dependence. If alcohol is consumed after taking disulfiram, acetaldehyde accumulates. Other drugs that cause antabuse reactions should be avoided in patients receiving alcohol. Methanol is used to denature ethyl alcohol. It is of no therapeutic value. Ingestion results in methanol poisoning. Toxic effects are due to formic acid. Poisoning is treated by correction of acidosis, protection of the eye and administration of the antidote.

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