What is the antidote for ethylene glycol or methanol intoxication?

Fomepizole is the correct antidote for ethylene glycol and methanol intoxication due to its mechanism as an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for metabolizing both of these toxic alcohols into their harmful byproducts. By inhibiting this enzyme, fomepizole effectively reduces the formation of toxic metabolites such as glycolic acid and formic acid, which are responsible for the severe acidosis and damage seen in these types of poisonings.

In the case of ethylene glycol, the toxic metabolites can lead to kidney failure, while methanol can cause visual disturbances and metabolic acidosis. Fomepizole administration helps mitigate these effects and provides a critical intervention in the management of such poisonings. It’s important in a clinical setting to recognize the specific antidote for different toxic substances, and fomepizole is well-established for this purpose, making it a first-line treatment in cases of ethylene glycol and methanol toxicity.

The other options listed are antidotes for different types of poisonings. Dimercaprol is used primarily for heavy metal poisoning, penicillamine is also used for heavy metal chelation and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, and deferoxamine is specifically used for iron overload