First Aid Information For:

Prestone DexCool 50/50 Prediluted Extended Life Antifreeze-Coolant, AF850-03/27/2018

Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with large amounts of water for 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists.

Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contacted area thoroughly with soap and water. If irritation persists, get medical attention.

Inhalation: Remove the victim to fresh air. If breathing has stopped administer artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, have medical personnel administer oxygen. Get medical attention.

Ingestion: Seek immediate medical attention. Immediately call local poison control center or go to an emergency department. Never give anything by mouth to or induce vomiting in an unconscious or drowsy person.

Notes to Physician: The principal toxic effects of ethylene glycol, when swallowed, are kidney damage and metabolic acidosis. The combination of metabolic acidosis, an osmol gap and oxalate crystals in the urine is evidence of ethylene glycol poisoning. Pulmonary edema with hypoxemia has been described in a number of patients following poisoning with ethylene glycol. Respiratory support with mechanical ventilation may be required. There may be cranial nerve involvement in the late stages of toxicity from swallowed ethylene glycol. In particular, effects have been reported involving the seventh, eighth, and ninth cranial nerves, presenting with bilateral facial paralysis, diminished hearing and dysphagia. Ethanol is antidotal and its early administration may block the formation of nephrotoxic metabolites of ethylene glycol in the liver. The objective is to rapidly achieve and maintain a blood ethanol level of approximately 100 mg/dl by giving a loading dose of ethanol followed by a maintenance dose. Intravenous administration of ethanol is the preferred route. Ethanol blood levels should be checked frequently. Hemodialysis may be required. 4-Methyl pyrazole (Fomepizole), a potent inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, has been used therapeutically to decrease the metabolic consequences of ethylene glycol poisoning. Fomepizole is easier to use clinically than ethanol, does not cause CNS depression or hypoglycemia and requires less monitoring than ethanol. Additional therapeutic modalities which may decrease the adverse consequences of ethylene glycol metabolism are the administration of both thiamine and pyridoxine. As there are complicated and serious overdoses, we recommend you consult with the toxicologists at your poison control center.