Intravenous fructose for acute alcoholism: a double blind study.

To test the clinical efficacy of fructose intravenously for acute alcoholism, 20 acutely intoxicated patients were treated in a randomized, double blind fashion with 1000 cc of 10% fructose and 10% glucose over two hours. In the first hour of infusion, fructose was significantly superior to glucose (p less than 0.05) in improving the mental and neuromuscular status of the most impaired patients. Although no side effects were observed and no patient developed metabolic acidosis, the study suggests an awareness of a potential for acidosis during the use of intravenous fractose therapy.