ELECTRONIC CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR
SPECIALISTS IN POISON INFORMATION

Module III -  Fomepizole

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the American Association of Poison Control Center’s electronic continuing education program for Specialists in Poison Information.  This fourteen day module will provide a review of fomepizole (Antizol®).  Please remember that fomepizole is also known as 4-methylpyrazole.

Much of the information in this module was retrieved from the fomepizole product monograph.  This monograph is listed below along with other literature that you may want to review as you work through these modules.

Brent J, McMartin K, Phillips S, et al.  4-methylpyrazole (fomepizole) therapy of ethylene glycol poisoning: Preliminary results of the META trial.  J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1997;35:507.

Brent J, McMartin K, Phillips S, et al.  4-methylpyrazole (fomepizole) therapy of methanol  poisoning: Preliminary results of the META trial.  J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1997;35:507.

Burns MJ, Graudins A, Aaron CK, et al.  Treatment of methanol poisoning with intravenous 4-methylpyrazole.  Ann Emerg Med 1887; 30:829-832.

Jacobsen D, McMartin KE.  Antidotes for methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning.  J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1997; 35:127-143.

Jobard E, Harry P, Turcant A, et al.  4-methylpyrazole and hemodialysis in ethylene glycol poisoning.  Clin Tox 1996; 34:373-377.

Orphan Medical.  Fomepizole product monograph.  Minnetonka, MN: 1997 December.
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this electronic continuing education module, the participant will be able to:

1.  Describe the mechanism of toxicity of ethylene glycol and the mechanism of action of fomepizole.

2.  Describe the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ethylene glycol and fomepizole.

3.  List the Food and Drug Administration approved indications for fomepizole.

4.  Discuss issues related to the safety of fomepizole use.

5.  Describe the dosage and administration of fomepizole.
 

AUTHOR

Daniel J. Cobaugh, PharmD
 

REVIEW PANEL

Jeffrey Brent, MD
Peter Ciancaglini, PharmD
Prashant Joshi, MD
Ruth Lawrence, MD
Christine Stork, PharmD
Desiree Voorhies, RN, Med
Paul Wax, MD