The Only Solution for Methyl Alcohol Poisoning is to Immediately Go to a Hospital

Poisoning cases, which increase especially during the summer months, can also occur due to illicit drinks containing methyl alcohol produced by inappropriate and illegal methods.
Yeditepe University Vice Rector and Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Aydın, emphasized that the reason for the increase in cases and resulting sudden loss of life is that methyl alcohol cannot be distinguished in any way.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Aydın stated: "The most important factor in illicit alcohol poisoning is not the hygiene or conditions of the place where it is produced, but the alcohol used. Alcoholic beverages are prepared with ethyl alcohol. However, the alcohol used in the production of illicit drinks is often methyl alcohol. It is an extremely poisonous and deadly substance. Whether the alcohol's effect is from ethyl or methyl, it begins with intoxication. Depending on the degree and the amount of drink consumed, the intoxication continues to increase.
When a person drinks ethyl alcohol, they experience intoxication, which passes. However, when a person drinks a beverage containing methyl alcohol, the effect leads to poisoning. Some time after a person starts drinking, they experience blurred vision along with intoxication. Normally, people start seeing blurry when drunk as well, so it is impossible to distinguish whether this blurriness is caused by the illicit alcohol or the alcohol itself. Therefore, the saying 'I would know if I've been drinking' is not correct; such a possibility does not exist. This is where the real danger lies. It is extremely dangerous because there is no chance of it being noticed, and by the time it is noticed, it will be too late."
 

Vomiting is Not a Solution

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Aydın, who advises people to immediately go to a healthcare facility as soon as they realize they are experiencing methyl alcohol poisoning, said: "As soon as they first notice this situation, they need to go to a healthcare facility immediately. Because the alcohol has already mixed into the blood. Alcohol passes from the stomach into the blood very quickly. Therefore, vomiting is not a solution. It is not possible for a substance that has entered the bloodstream to be removed from the body by a person's own intervention."

The First Antidote is Local and National

Prof. Dr. Aydın stated that early diagnosis saves lives in methyl alcohol poisoning and that an antidote exists, adding that he and his team prepared the first antidote. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Aydın said, "I first encountered methyl alcohol poisoning in 1995. We prepared the antidote at the GATA facility. This antidote is still being used today. It is a local and national product."