Final answer:
Ethanol and fomepizole are the antidotes for methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning; they inhibit the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, preventing the formation of toxic metabolites. Hemodialysis may also be utilized for severe cases to expedite removal of toxins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antidotes for Methanol and Ethylene Glycol Poisoning
The antidotes used to treat methanol and ethylene glycol toxicity are ethanol and fomepizole. These agents work by inhibiting the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which is responsible for the metabolism of methanol and ethylene glycol into their toxic metabolites. In the case of methanol intoxication, ethanol is preferred as it has a higher affinity for ADH, thus preventing the formation of toxic formaldehyde. Similarly, fomepizole is a potent inhibitor of ADH, stopping the conversion of ethylene glycol into harmful acids such as glycolic acid, which can cause metabolic acidosis and damage to organs like the kidneys.
These treatments are crucial because, without intervention, methanol can lead to the accumulation of formaldehyde and formic acid, which can cause blindness and other serious health issues. Ethylene glycol metabolism produces oxalic acid, which causes kidney stones and possible organ failure.
For severe poisonings, hemodialysis may be used in conjunction with these antidotes to remove the parent compounds and their toxic metabolites from the bloodstream more rapidly.