![]() Ethanol is a commonly used medical alcohol. | |
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Routes of administration | Topical, intravenous, by mouth |
Drug class | Antiseptics, disinfectants, antidotes |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Metabolism | Liver |
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Alcohols, in various forms, are used medically as an antiseptic, disinfectant, and antidote.[1] Alcohols applied to the skin are used to disinfect skin before a needle stick and before surgery.[2] They may also be used as a hand sanitizer;[2] to clean other areas;[2] and in mouthwashes.[3][4][5] Taken by mouth or injected into a vein, ethanol is used to treat methanol or ethylene glycol toxicity when fomepizole is not available.[1]
Side effects of alcohols applied to the skin include skin irritation.[2] Care should be taken with electrocautery, as ethanol is flammable.[1] Types of alcohol used include ethanol, denatured ethanol, 1-propanol, and isopropyl alcohol.[6][7] Alcohols are effective against a range of microorganisms, though they do not inactivate spores.[7] Concentrations of 60% to 90% work best.[7]