European Journal of Internal Medicine
Volume 19, Issue 8 , Pages 561-567, December 2008

Acute alcohol intoxication

  • Luisa Vonghia

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Lorenzo Leggio

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Anna Ferrulli

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Marco Bertini

      Affiliations

    • Medical Department, Baldacci Laboratories, Pisa, Italy
    • ,
  • Giovanni Gasbarrini

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Giovanni Addolorato

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, L. go A. Gemelli 8, I-00168 Rome, Italy. Tel.: +39 06 30154334; fax: +39 06 35502775.
    • ,
  • Alcoholism Treatment Study Group

      Affiliations

    • Alcoholism Treatment Study Group: L. Abenavoli M.D., C. D'Angelo M.D., S. Cardone M.D., A. Mirijello M.D, V. Leso M.D., S. Piano M.D., A. Nesci M.D.; Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome; Italy. E. Capristo M.D., N. Malandrino M.D.; Metabolic Unit, Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome; Italy. F. Caputo M.D., S. Francini M.D., M. Stoppo, T. Vignoli M.D., M. Bernardi M.D.; “G. Fontana” Centre for the Study and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Alcohol Addiction, Institute of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Epatology, University of Bologna; Italy.

Received 12 February 2007; received in revised form 9 May 2007; accepted 21 June 2007. published online 31 March 2008.

Abstract 

Acute alcohol intoxication is a clinically harmful condition that usually follows the ingestion of a large amount of alcohol. Clinical manifestations are heterogeneous and involve different organs and apparatuses, with behavioral, cardiac, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, neurological, and metabolic effects. The management of an intoxicated patient occurs mainly in the emergency department and is aimed at stabilizing the clinical condition of the patient, depending on his/her clinical presentation. One specific drug that is useful in the treatment of acute alcohol intoxication is metadoxine, which is able to accelerate ethanol excretion. In patients presenting an acute alcohol intoxication, alcohol-related disorders should be detected so that the patient can be directed to an alcohol treatment unit, where a personalized, specific treatment can be established.

Keywords: Acute alcohol intoxication, Alcohol-induced disorders, Metadoxine, Emergency care

 

PII: S0953-6205(08)00074-5

doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2007.06.033

European Journal of Internal Medicine
Volume 19, Issue 8 , Pages 561-567, December 2008

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