Treatment of alcohol poisoning: what medicines to take?

Light and average degree of intoxication does not require any special measures, it is enough to stop drinking, take a sorbent, go to bed and have a good rest.

First aid for alcohol poisoning

If a person has expressed symptoms of alcohol poisoning, but he is still able to perform the required actions, then the first help that can be provided at home is gastric lavage and sorbent intake: activated carbon, Enterosgel. Gastric lavage is done in order to remove the remnants of non-absorbed alcohol. This procedure is carried out, forcing the patient to drink as much as possible (five to ten liters) of clean water (about three to four glasses at a time) and induce vomiting. It is good for washing to use a weakly pink solution of potassium permanganate, a solution of soda (a teaspoon per liter of water) or table salt (2 tablespoons of water). The temperature of the washing solution should be about 37 ℃. The procedure is usually repeated several times (to clean wash water). Vomiting is often not required, this process goes by itself. If the victim does not vomit, then you can press a spoon or a clean finger on the root of the tongue. After washing the stomach, the patient is given sorbents and other necessary drugs, which will be discussed below, and provide peace.

A small child is washed with a stomach through an enema through the rectum.

If a person is in a precomatous state or in a coma and can not be brought to consciousness, and when alcohol poisoning has occurred in the child, it is necessary to call an ambulance. It is not recommended to wash the stomach at home in an unconscious person. You can try to bring a person to consciousness with the help of ammonia, applied to a cotton swab, a handkerchief (but not from a bottle, since having come to consciousness, the victim can knock it out of his hands and get burns to his face). If the victim regains consciousness, rinse the stomach.

A person in a coma, before the ambulance arrives, needs to be laid on one side and covered with heat. Provide him with access to oxygen in the respiratory tract - clean the oral cavity and fix the tongue, preventing its sinking. If the breathing stopped and there is no pulse, an indirect heart massage is done.

Acute intoxication with alcohol-containing drinks can end fatal, and almost always death occurs because of failure to provide first professional assistance. Only a specialist, based on the testimony of rapid diagnostics, is able to correctly assess the condition of the victim, prescribe and apply a number of medicines. Almost always with acute alcohol poisoning, resuscitation is required.

In the hospital, the necessary diagnostics will be carried out, measures will be taken to restore the respiratory function (intubation, artificial ventilation, oxygenation), only after that the stomach is cleaned of alcohol left there. Measures for detoxification include gastric lavage by the probe method, forced diuresis, symptomatic therapy, vitamin therapy, a stimulating process of alcohol metabolism.

Renewal and maintenance of adequate blood circulation, aimed at restoring the normal volume of circulating blood and normalizing its rheological properties, is performed by means of drip infusions. The composition of infusion solutions is assigned after diagnosis, based on the patient's condition. This form of drug delivery is very convenient for weakened and unconscious patients who are not able to take oral medication. Even when the patient is conscious, a dropper for alcohol poisoning ensures high and rapid assimilation of drugs directly into the venous blood stream, which allows eliminating ethanol from the body quickly and comfortably, it is easier to combine the necessary medicines and quickly change the composition of the infusion solutions. With drip infusions, the blood dilutes, which reduces the load on the heart muscle.

Infusion of various substances on the basis of solutions of dextrose (5% and 10%) and physiological solution (0.9% of sodium chloride) are introduced infusion. To eliminate hypoglycemia with dextrose solution, insulin is administered in a ratio of 4: 1.

Saline losses during vomiting are restored with the help of Ringer's solution - a source of potassium, calcium, chlorine, sodium and water or a solution of Chlosol, Trisol, Disol. Due to the drip introduction of these solutions, the volume of circulating blood increases and its density decreases, the dehydration decreases and the blood is released from toxins.

Improve blood circulation and remove acute intoxication colloidal solution Gelatinol (contains a group of essential amino acids (methionine, glycine, cystine and others), a solution of Hemodez (restores the ionic balance of sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, by binding and removing toxins by means of polyvinylpyrolidone).

Sedative drugs-anxiolytics Relanium, Diazepam, tranquillizers (Fenazepam) can be prescribed for the removal of convulsive syndrome, emotional tension, relaxation of the musculature. Antipsychotics, for example, Propazin is prescribed for relief of manifestations of withdrawal syndrome (hallucinations, delirium, other symptoms of withdrawal).

To lower the need of the heart muscle in oxygen, blood pressure, to stop other disorders of the cardiac and nervous activity (alcohol tremor) drip Propanolol or its synonyms.

Vitaminotherapy is carried out, a glucose solution is dripped with vitamins B1, B6 and C to relieve neurological symptoms, prevent alcoholic psychoses, and normalize metabolism in the body.

We use drugs, special antidotes, created for the treatment of alcohol intoxication, which accelerate metabolism and elimination of alcohols. In parallel have hepatoprotective and neuroprotective properties.

Metadoxil - an antidote for poisoning with ethyl alcohol, is administered intravenously for one and a half hours in a solution of dextrose or saline in the proportions of 300 to 900 mg per half liter of the solvent. Intramuscular injections are possible. The use of an antidote for alcohol poisoning can only be used in cases where the type of poison is known, otherwise the toxic effects will only increase. Metadoxil is contraindicated in poisoning with surrogate alcohol products.

The antidote for methyl alcohol and ethylene glycol is 4-methylpyrazole. It inhibits the enzymatic activity of the akoldehydrogenase, interrupting the process of cleavage and formation of toxic metabolites, contributing to the elimination of these alcohols in an unchanged form. It is taken at the rate of 10 mg per kilogram of the weight of the victim, dissolving in 200ml of an aqueous solution of ethyl alcohol. This drink is given to the patient every three to four hours.

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Medicinal treatment

At moderate degrees of alcohol poisoning, restorative treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis. Good effect has absorbents for alcohol poisoning. They are most effective at the appearance of the first signs of pathological intoxication, because they absorb toxic substances that are still in the gastrointestinal tract and have not had time to suck in the blood. Therefore, these drugs are worth taking once in the maximum dose.

Activated charcoal for alcohol poisoning is taken from the calculation: one tablet per ten kilograms of weight. If the victim has drunk a lot of alcohol or is expected to be poisoned by a low-quality product, the dose can be increased. The maximum one-time portion of coal is four tablets per kilogram of weight. They can be crushed and stirred in a half cup of water. On average, a day can take up to 120 tablets.

White coal for alcohol poisoning is taken in a lower dosage - three or four pieces at a time. The maximum number of receptions is four.

Enterosgel, the main active ingredient of which is methyl silicic acid, absorbs toxic components from the stomach cavity, without affecting the beneficial components of the gastric flora (digestive enzymes). Maximum one-time adult can give up to six tablespoons, drinking water. True, this dose is difficult to overpower, but at least three tablespoons should be swallowed.

Polysorbent - a sorbent based on silica, working on removing toxic substances, not only contained in the gastrointestinal tract, but also due to their concentration and osmotic gradients, removes into the stomach toxins that circulate in the physiological fluids of the organism, binding them there and eliminating them. Two or three tablespoons of powdered substance diluted with water in a volume of 100-200 ml, with strong intoxication can be taken on a tablespoon with a slide for 100 ml of water every hour.

Lactofiltrum is a preparation with two active substances: sorbent - lignin hydrolysis, absorbing various toxins, as well as excess toxic products of metabolism; prebiotic lactulose, which normalizes the intestinal microflora, since it is a nutrient medium for lacto- and bifidobacteria, the reproduction of which inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Take a poisoning with alcohol at once, just eight or ten tablets, other antipohmelnye take no sooner than an hour.

Manganese, in general, is known as an antiseptic. Its solution is washed with stomach during poisoning. However, a solution of potassium permanganate can also oxidize alcohol. Oxidation products are inactive and do not harm the body, practically not absorbed into the walls of the intestine. For one rinse, an adult needs about half a liter of solution. It should be light pink color, necessarily well-strained (no less than eight layers of gauze). To drink a solution it is necessary sitting, in small sips and in two or three minutes to cause a vomiting. The use of potassium permanganate in poisoning modern medicine calls into question, this substance is toxic. Flushing the stomach with potassium permanganate solution, it is necessary to remove it from the body. Currently, there are many different more effective and modern tools, but if there is nothing more available at hand, then this tool is suitable for adult patients.

Fosfalugel - adsorbent, neutralizing the activity of gastric juice. The active ingredient is aluminum phosphate. It has a jelly-like shape, envelops the mucous membrane, preventing it from the aggressive action of toxic substances. The reaction of the active substance with hydrochloric acid occurs with the formation of aluminum chloride, which, practically not absorbed in the intestinal wall, is excreted with feces. Phosphalugel is taken as a jelly or diluted with water in a container of 100 ml. A single dose is one or two sachets. You can take up to three times a day.

Smecta - as an active ingredient contains a double silicate of aluminum and magnesium stereometric structure. Protects the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract from aggressive exposure due to its high enveloping and binding ability. Apply as a protector of the mucosa of digestive organs and absorbent. Adults with alcohol poisoning can take up to six packets per day. Children from infancy can mix Smecta with water, broth, compote, baby food in proportions: one sachet per 50ml of liquid.

In addition to absorbents, alcoholic poisonings use other drugs to alleviate symptoms of poisoning, restore the water-salt balance, stop pain, eliminate diarrhea and vomiting.

Intestinal antiseptic Enterofuril is sometimes considered a drug used in the treatment of alcohol intoxication. At least he's on hearing. Some narcologists prescribe it to patients, as a means, which causes rejection of alcohol. This use is not correct, the drug is designed to treat intestinal infections. In addition, it is not compatible with alcohol and, when used simultaneously, causes many unpleasant side effects: skin rashes, seizures, breathing disorders, nausea and some neurological symptoms. Indeed, if the patient survives, then after that, alcohol rejection may occur. And with alcohol poisoning, Enterofuril, and even more can only aggravate the patient's condition and lead to complications. With its help, it is impossible to alleviate the already critical condition of the body and to remove symptoms of intoxication. The practice of rejecting alcohol using this drug is also not considered toxicologists acceptable, but this is another matter.

Regidron is a hypoosmolar preparation for rehydration and restoration of electrolyte losses in diarrhea and vomiting. Glucose, which is part of the drug, accelerates the metabolism and elimination of ethanol, enhances the absorption of salts by the intestinal membrane, citrates normalize the acid-base balance. Bag of Regidron is dissolved in a liter of water, the patient drinks the solution with small sips. At a coma, probe rehydration is performed.

To neutralize negative symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract, Almagel is prescribed - a jelly-like mixture of aluminum and magnesium hydroxides combined with a simethicone-inhibiting simethicone, protects the epithelial cells of the digestive canal, has an antacid effect, and helps to eliminate meteorism. The recommended dose is one packet four times a day.

But the most popular spasmolytic No-shpa for alcohol poisoning (and even intoxication) is not good, it will potentiate a similar action of ethanol, hypothermia and hypotension. A well-known analgesic medicine Analgin is also not worth giving to a person in a state of intoxication, even mild or moderate, as this drug potentiates the effect of alcohol and the consequences of such a combination can lead to poisoning. Toxicologists advise to take these drugs not earlier than 12 hours after the last dose of alcohol, at least - the next morning, if overdone with alcohol on the eve of the evening.

Glucose is necessary for alcohol poisoning, ethanol destroys glucose, inhibits the processes of its synthesis in the body. With a solution of glucose for acute alcohol intoxication, drip-flaps are made in which it is mixed with vitamins, insulin to improve metabolic processes and accelerate detoxification.

Enzyme drug Pancreatin in case of alcohol poisoning can help reduce the burden on the pancreas, whose work has been disrupted due to toxic effects of ethanol, compensating for the lack of enzymes. Pancreatin is prescribed individually, depending on the deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, you need to drink from two to four tablets and the frequency of reception is also set by the doctor.

The same applies to another enzymatic preparation - Mezim. These funds compensate for the insufficient production of digestive enzymes and help the pancreas to recover from alcohol poisoning. They are used after alcohol poisoning, when the patient is already starting to eat.

Succinic acid is an endogenous component of all living organisms, including human, participating in many biochemical reactions. A healthy organism has enough internal reserves, however, when it gets into a stressful situation, its deficiency arises. Alcohol poisoning is a heavy stress for the body, and succinic acid and preparations containing it can help cope with the effects of intoxication.

Amber acid can accelerate the metabolic processes, so that toxic substances will quickly leave the body and cause less harm. It is a strong antioxidant, promotes tissue oxygenation, supports the immune, nervous and cardiovascular system, potentiates the action of other medicines. Amber acid is found in many drugs to treat the effects of alcohol intoxication:

• Limonar - in this preparation it is complex with citric acid; this drug, reducing the toxic effect of alcohol, in the state of acute intoxication appoint one tablet after a period of 1-2.5 hours (the tablet can be dissolved in a tablespoon of water);
• Reamberin - a detoxifying agent based on succinic acid for droppers;
• Remaxol is a combined preparation with succinic acid for intravenous infusions, is shown in alcoholic hepatitis as a complication of poisoning and for its prevention.

Antiemetic drugs in a state of acute alcohol intoxication are not applied. Vomiting is a protective reaction of the body, by its attempt to get rid of the overabundance of alcohol, not to let it suck in the blood. Such drugs are used later, after carrying out purification procedures, when the body is already spared from alcohol, if necessary, stop gagging, hiccups, to prevent narrowing of the airway lumen. Intravenously administered  Cerucal, orally - Metoclopramide.

In the treatment of alcohol poisoning, a variety of medications are used depending on the patient's condition, complications and chronic diseases. Hepatoprotectors, antispasmodics, analgesics, antibiotics are used. Severe poisoning with deep coma is treated with hemodialysis and its modifications. It may be necessary to consult specialists of different profiles.

Treatment of alcohol poisoning at home

If a patient with obvious signs of alcohol intoxication remains conscious, and nothing threatens his life, you can confine yourself to home remedies for the removal of unpleasant symptoms of poisoning.

Purification of the stomach from not yet absorbed residues of alcohol is a top priority. The earlier and more carefully the procedure is done, the less toxic substances will be absorbed into the blood.

The intake of absorbents (those that are in the home medicine chest) can be done before washing, and after.

If you know for sure that a person used methyl alcohol or ethylene glycol, then once taken in the first hours of 200ml of high-quality ethyl alcohol 40% can act as an antidote. Or you can give the patient every three hours for 50ml (vodka, cognac, whiskey).

In any case, the victim needs to drink a lot - pure water, herbal teas, water with honey dissolved in it.

If the victim wants to rest after washing the stomach, you need to cover it well and not leave one, not making sure that the victim is better and he really sleeps, and does not lose consciousness.

With alcohol poisoning, you should not allow the patient to lie on his back (asphyxia may occur with vomiting, sunken tongue).

Alternative treatment of alcohol poisoning has a rich experience and centuries of history, but still a person in serious condition is better entrusted to doctors. By means of miraculous methods, moderate degrees of poisoning can be treated, when the victim is conscious, does not resist and is able to perform the actions required of him.

A classic home remedy for drinking is brine (cucumber, cabbage, tomato), preferably from pickles, but marinade is also suitable.

Tomato juice also helps to accelerate the metabolism of ethanol and the elimination of metabolites, as well as help restore the water-electrolyte balance. According to reviews, the juice from tomatoes helps a lot from alcohol intoxication. It contains acids (amber, apple, lemon), fructose and glucose, pectins, vitamins, minerals.

Milk in alcohol poisoning is a highly controversial product. It is certainly very useful, it can positively affect the work of vital organs, however, if the patient is nauseous and vomits, then to offer him milk is not worth it, the gag reflex can only intensify. Another thing is if the patient himself asks for milk.

With alcohol poisoning, alternative medicine offers you to drink milk with a raw egg white mixed in it, but you can get salmonella from such drinking.

Also recommended are fermented milk products - kefir, yogurt. They contain the same useful substances as whole milk, but also useful for the shaken microflora of the gastrointestinal tract.

Here is honey for alcohol poisoning is certainly useful. This product contains a large amount of fructose, which accelerates the processing of alcoholic toxins and, accordingly, their excretion. The main thing is that the victim should bear the honey normally. This product is a natural antidote to ethanol. It is recommended to take:

• from 100 to 200 g in two or three intakes;
• every 20 minutes three teaspoons (six times), then after a two-hour break, the course is repeated.

Soda for alcohol poisoning is used when washing the stomach, it is recommended and alternative healers, and in medical institutions. You can also prepare soda-salt solution for this procedure: add two or three grams of salt and soda to a liter of water (≈37 ℃), stir well, drink with small sips, then induce vomiting. The solution must be removed from the stomach, because soda and soda water in combination with alcohol, as recently established by American scientists, potentiates its effect and aggravates intoxication.

Lemon after alcohol poisoning can benefit, accelerating the metabolism of ethanol and its toxic metabolites, as well as their excretion.

Many people like to bite lemon with spirits, they also say that it prevents strong intoxication. Citric acid is an ingredient of such an effective drug as Limonar.

To quickly neutralize the effect of alcoholic toxins, it is recommended to peel one large fruit and eat it one by one (like an orange), slowly and chewing each one well. The effect is promised ten minutes after the end of the procedure.

Those who can not eat a whole lemon without sugar in one sitting, it is recommended to squeeze juice out of it into an incomplete glass of water and drink a drink immediately.

An even more sparing recommendation is to sweeten the water with squeezed lemon juice with sugar or honey.

Used at home and treated with herbs. Detoxification properties are infusions and decoctions of such herbs: horsetail, lime blossom, thyme and mint.

To remove alcohol intoxication, you can brew a mixture of bog rhubarb, string and meadow geranium. Herbs are mixed in equal proportions, then a solo spoon is brewed with 500ml of boiling water. When it cools down, strain and drink during the day. Every day you need to brew a new portion.

Just take with the same purpose a decoction of dandelion roots. Prepare in the proportions: a glass of cold water - a teaspoon of dry raw fines. Boil and simmer for a third of an hour. Let stand for another half hour and drain.

The use of tea with melissa (brew a teaspoon in a glass) can save you from debilitating nausea.

You can not sober the victim with a cold shower (like in a movie), make him walk or move if he wants to lie down, leave unattended, or give alcohol again (except for cases of poisoning with methanol, ethylene glycol).

Homeopathy

A universal homeopathic symptomatic remedy used for any poisoning, including alcoholic ones, is Nux vomica, made from a chilibuk plant or an emetic nut. It heals the mucosa of the entire digestive tract, normalizes the work of the liver, pancreas and biliary tract.

Chronic alcoholics with symptoms of poisoning are often prescribed Ranunculus bulbosus (Ranunculus bulbosus) and Agaricus (Agaricus), arresting the delirium that arises after poisoning.

Antidote for poisoning with strong drinks can be Ledum (Ledum), Aconitum (Aconite), Arnica (Arnica), potentiated Coffea (Coffee) can also become a first aid.

Methanol poisoning is stopped by the ingestion of Plumbum.

From drugstore combined preparations from acute alcohol poisoning and its consequences, it is possible to recommend the drug Nux-Vomica Gomakkord. In addition to the main homeopathic remedy for poisoning, the medicine includes:

• Bryonia alba (Bryonia) - as a symptomatic remedy for headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, coughing, vomiting, pain in the liver and heaviness in the stomach;
• Licopodium (Lycopodium) - normalization of the digestive process after poisoning;
• Colocynthis (Colocynthis) - relieves spasms, pains, cramps, eliminates vomiting.

Since the age of six, a single dose of the drug is ten drops, diluted in a teaspoon of water. Children under two years of age are given three droplets, from two to five full years - five. A portion of the drug is dissolved under the tongue three times a day. You can dilute the daily dose in half a glass of water and drink, holding in your mouth, for three meals every eight hours.

In acute conditions, a single dose can be taken every quarter of an hour during the first two hours.

The drug is taken before meals (15 minutes) or an hour after.

In order to remove toxic substances from the body, the drug can be prescribed in combination with Lymphomyosot, Renel H and other means, depending on the patient's condition.

How to restore strength after alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol intoxication leads to dehydration of the body and disruption of water-electrolyte balance, vitamin deficiency, damage to liver cells, brain, pancreas, mucous membrane of the digestive tract. To facilitate well-being and restore working capacity, it is necessary to take a number of measures to detoxify the body.

Having woken up in the morning, take a contrast shower, it is not necessary at the same time to alternate hot water and ice, it is enough - to feel the temperature difference.

Then it is necessary to restore the water balance, it is easiest to drink mineral water without gas, and, little by little, but often, literally, every 15 minutes. In addition to water, you can drink a broth of wild rose, it is rich in vitamin C, pomegranate juice, dried fruit compote, green tea. Sweetened and carbonated beverages should not be consumed during this period, it is also not recommended to drink coffee (it provokes fluid loss).

It is necessary to take a shock dose of ascorbic acid, experts advise soluble vitamins - they are more quickly absorbed. You can eat a few - two or three spoons of berries, fresh or frozen. Better currants, cranberries, cranberries. Citrus - orange, grapefruit, lemon, too, will do.

From nausea, you can take a drink with cinnamon - stirring half a teaspoon in a glass of hot water. This drink can be drunk repeatedly until the nausea passes.

To restore the cells of the brain after a severe poisoning, you can drink Glycine, Nootropil, Cinnarizine. Excess of toxic substances is removed with the help of sorbents and purifying enema. To adjust the work of the liver, you can use Essentiale or milk thistle, pancreas - using enzymatic agents (Pancreatin, Mezim, Festal). Of course, it is better if a doctor prescribes medicines.

In cases of severe poisoning, infusion therapy is performed .

Nutrition and diet for alcohol poisoning

Experts are inclined to believe that after acute alcohol intoxication, nutrition should not only be full to restore lost vitamins and minerals, but also sparing, so as not to overload the organs involved in digestion and allow them to recover fully. Read more about the food poisoning in this article.

In the first day, fasting is recommended after alcohol poisoning with frequent and plentiful drink, mainly mineral non-carbonated water at room temperature.

Then you can include broths from dietary meat, soups, cereals, vegetable stews, cottage cheese, sour-milk products.

It is necessary to exclude fatty, spicy, fried foods that cause excessive gas production, products made from fresh and dough. The food should be boiled, stewed, steamed.

Necessarily in the menu there should be proteins: dietary fish and meat, cottage cheese, hard cheeses. Vegetables, fruits, natural juices, honey, nuts will help quickly restore lost vitamins and trace elements.

You need small portions, five to six times a day. After poisoning, sometimes some foods do not feel like it - and you do not need to (listen to the body).

In principle, there is almost everything possible, gradually returning to the usual style of food. This transition will take two to three weeks.

A compulsory condition is the complete exclusion of alcohol.