For acute and short term repeated exposures to methanol:
• Toxicity results from accumulation of formaldehyde/formic acid.
• Clinical signs are usually limited to CNS, eyes and GI tract Severe metabolic acidosis may produce dyspnea and profound systemic effects which may become intractable. All symptomatic patients should have arterial pH measured. Evaluate airway, breathing and circulation.
• Stabilise obtunded patients by giving naloxone, glucose and thiamine.