Monograph: |
Isopropyl Alcohol
A clear, colourless, mobile, volatile, flammable liquid with a
characteristic spirituous odour, miscible with water, with al-
cohol, with chloroform, and with ether. Store in a cool place
in airtight containers. Protect from light.
Adverse Effects, Treatment, and Precautions
Isopropyl alcohol is considered to be more toxic than ethyl
alcohol , and the symptoms of intoxication appear to
be similar, except that isopropyl alcohol has no initial euphor-
ic action and gastritis, haemorrhage, pain, nausea, and vomit-
ing are more prominent. The lethal dose by mouth is reported
to be about 250 mL; however, toxic symptoms may be pro-
duced by as little as 20 mL. Ketoacidosis and ketonuria com-
monly occur due to the presence of the major metabolite,
acetone, in the circulation. Inhalation of isopropyl alcohol va-
pour has been reported to produce coma.
Application of isopropyl alcohol to the skin may cause dry-
ness and irritation; suitable precautions should be taken to
prevent absorption through the skin.
Treatment of adverse effects is as for Alcohol.
General references.
Rectal absorption. A report of intoxication and raised se-
nim-creatininc concentrations due to absorption of isopropyl
alcohol following its use as a rectal douche.
Pharmacokinetics
Isopropyl alcohol is readily absorbed from the gastro-intesti-
nal tract but there appears to be little absorption through
intact skin. The vapour may be absorbed through the lungs. Isopro
pyl alcohol is metabolised more slowly than ethyl alcohol and
about 15% of an ingested dose is metabolised to acetone.
For a report of rectal absorption of isopropyl alcohol, see
above.
Uses and Administration
Isopropyl alcohol is an antiseptic with bactericidal properties
similar to those of alcohol . It is used for pre-opera-
tive skin cleansing in concentrations of about 60 to 70%, and
is an ingredient of preparations used for disinfection of hands
and surfaces. Its marked degreasing properties may limit its
usefulness in preparations used repeatedly. It is also used as a
solvent, especially in cosmetics and perfumes, and as a vehi-
cle for other disinfectant compounds. Propyl alcohol
is also used as an antiseptic.
Disinfection. VIRUSES. WHO has published guidelines on
sterilisation and disinfection methods effective against HIV'
which state that alcohols are not considered suitable for deal-
ing with contaminated surfaces because of their limited pen-
etration of organic residues and rapid evaporation but that for
disinfection of living tissues, isopropyl alcohol 70% is effec-
tive.
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