Ingesting isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as rubbing alcohol, can produce effects that might initially resemble drunkenness. However, these effects are symptoms of severe poisoning, not typical intoxication. Consuming isopropyl alcohol is highly dangerous, leading to serious health complications like organ damage, coma, and even death. It is not intended for human consumption.
What Is Isopropyl Alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless, flammable organic compound with a distinct pungent odor, also known as isopropanol or 2-propanol. It is widely used in households and industries for its properties as a solvent, antiseptic, and disinfectant. Common products containing isopropyl alcohol include rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, and various cleaning solutions.
Chemically, isopropyl alcohol has a three-carbon chain with a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to the middle carbon atom, giving it the formula C3H8O. In contrast, ethanol, the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, has a two-carbon chain. While both are alcohols, these molecular differences dictate their vastly different effects on the human body. Isopropyl alcohol is generally found in concentrations of 70% or higher in consumer products.
How Isopropyl Alcohol Harms the Body
When ingested, isopropyl alcohol is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, with nearly 80% absorbed within 30 minutes. The liver metabolizes it primarily through the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, converting it into acetone. Acetone is a toxic ketone that significantly depresses the central nervous system, contributing to severe poisoning effects.
Unlike ethanol, which metabolizes into less toxic compounds, acetone prolongs and intensifies central nervous system depression. This metabolic pathway results in systemic poisoning from both the depressant and its toxic metabolite. Even small amounts can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to further complications.
Signs of Isopropyl Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning can appear rapidly, often within 30 minutes to a few hours, and escalate quickly. Observable signs include severe central nervous system depression, manifesting as drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, uncoordinated movement, stupor, and eventually coma. The substance also irritates the digestive system, leading to gastrointestinal distress such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain; vomiting may contain blood.
Beyond these immediate effects, poisoning can result in respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing) and dangerously low blood pressure. Other symptoms include low body temperature, rapid heart rate, and in severe cases, kidney damage. A fruity odor on the breath can also indicate acetone, a byproduct of isopropyl alcohol metabolism.
Responding to Isopropyl Alcohol Poisoning
If isopropyl alcohol ingestion is suspected, immediate emergency medical attention is necessary. Do not attempt to induce vomiting, as this can cause further esophageal damage due to the substance’s corrosive nature. Instead, contact a poison control center or emergency services immediately.
Provide as much detail as possible, including the person’s age, weight, the product consumed, and the approximate amount and time of ingestion. Medical professionals will focus on supportive care, which may involve monitoring vital signs, providing intravenous fluids, and administering oxygen therapy if breathing is compromised. In severe cases, such as large ingestions or critical patient condition, hemodialysis may be used to remove isopropyl alcohol and acetone from the bloodstream.