Overview
- Officials warn that even small amounts of methanol can be fatal and say treatment with ethanol or fomepizole, and sometimes dialysis, is most effective within 10–30 hours of ingestion.
- Red flags include a hangover that feels far worse than expected and distinctive vision changes, which often emerge 12–48 hours after drinking.
- Early signs may resemble regular intoxication, but escalating symptoms such as abdominal pain, rapid breathing, breathlessness, and visual disturbance warrant immediate care.
- Emergency indicators requiring urgent help include unconsciousness, seizures, very slow or irregular breathing, and pale or bluish skin.
- Risk is highest with counterfeit or homemade alcohol common in some countries, so public advice urges buying only from licensed venues, checking intact seals, and avoiding unlabelled or unusually cheap drinks.