Overview
Methanol poisoning, also called methyl alcohol poisoning or wood alcohol poisoning, happens when a person swallows, breathes in, or absorbs methanol through the skin. Methanol is a type of alcohol found in some industrial solvents, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and illegally made or adulterated alcoholic drinks. Unlike drinking alcohol (ethanol), even a small amount of methanol can be deadly or cause permanent blindness. When methanol enters the body, the liver breaks it down into toxic substances called formaldehyde and formic acid. These chemicals build up in the blood and tissues, causing a dangerous drop in blood pH — a condition called metabolic acidosis. The eyes and brain are especially vulnerable. Damage to the optic nerve can cause permanent vision loss or total blindness, sometimes within hours to days of exposure. Symptoms often start mildly and can look like regular alcohol intoxication, which makes early recognition difficult. After a delay of 12 to 24 hours, severe symptoms appear including vision problems, confusion, difficulty breathing, and seizures. Methanol poisoning is a medical emergency. Treatment includes antidotes like fomepizole or ethanol, along with dialysis to remove the toxin from the blood. Early treatment greatly improves survival and reduces the chance of permanent harm.
Key symptoms:
HeadacheNausea and vomitingDizziness or feeling drunkBlurred or double visionSeeing flashing lights or 'snowfield' visionSudden vision loss or blindnessConfusion or disorientationDifficulty breathing or rapid breathingAbdominal painExtreme tiredness or weaknessSeizuresLoss of consciousnessLow blood pressure
Clinical phenotype terms (29)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventUniversity of Edinburgh
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableAntizole
Use for suspected or confirmed methanol poisoning, either alone or in combination with hemodialysis
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Methanol poisoning.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Methanol poisoning.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Methanol poisoning
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: A Study on Bedside Formate Assay as a Diagnostic Tool in Methanol Poisoning
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Methanol poisoning
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How much methanol did I absorb, and what does that mean for my recovery?,Is my vision loss likely to be permanent, or could it improve with time?,Do I need dialysis, and how many sessions might be required?,Are there any long-term effects on my brain or nervous system I should watch for?,What follow-up tests or specialist appointments do I need after leaving the hospital?,Are there any rehabilitation services that could help me if I have lasting vision or neurological problems?,How can I and my family identify and avoid methanol exposure in the future?
Common questions about Methanol poisoning
What is Methanol poisoning?
Methanol poisoning, also called methyl alcohol poisoning or wood alcohol poisoning, happens when a person swallows, breathes in, or absorbs methanol through the skin. Methanol is a type of alcohol found in some industrial solvents, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and illegally made or adulterated alcoholic drinks. Unlike drinking alcohol (ethanol), even a small amount of methanol can be deadly or cause permanent blindness. When methanol enters the body, the liver breaks it down into toxic substances called formaldehyde and formic acid. These chemicals build up in the blood and tissues, c
How is Methanol poisoning inherited?
Methanol poisoning follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Methanol poisoning?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Methanol poisoning on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Methanol poisoning?
13 specialists and care centers treating Methanol poisoning are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Methanol poisoning?
2 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Methanol poisoning. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.