Intravenous fructose treatment of acute alcohol intoxication. Effects on alcohol metabolism.

This study was designed to determine the efficacy of the intravenous administration of fructose in the treatment of acute alcohol intoxication. The study was prospective and double-blind, with glucose serving as the control. Treatment with glucose and fructose was determined by random selection. Fructose administration did not alter the clinical status or rate of alcohol metabolism as reflected by the decline in serum concentration. In addition, a significant elevation (P less than .05) in serum uric acid and lactate levels occurred in the patients receiving fructose. The results indicate that fructose is of no value in the treatment of acute alcohol intoxication, and produces metabolic abnormalities that could be harmful to the patient.