Normal range: Negative
Comment: Used in the quantitation of alcohol level for medical or legal purposes, to test unconscious patients, and to diagnose alcohol intoxication and for the determination of appropriate therapy
Alcohol intoxication maybe possible cause of coma and also may mimic diabetic coma, cerebral trauma, and drug overdose. Ethanol is absorbed rapidly from the GI tract. Peak blood levels usually occur within 40-70 minutes on an empty stomach. Food in the stomach can decrease the absorption of alcohol. The half-lives and effectiveness of certain drugs such as barbiturates are increased in the presence of ethanol
Sample: EDTA whole blood, serum