ABSTRACT

In this chapter, we discuss metabolic acidosis caused by drugs and toxins. Because drugs become toxins when their unwanted side effects become a clinical problem, the distinction between drugs and toxins is not always clear. Recommended doses can be toxic to some while being therapeutic to others. Some of the chemicals included in this chapter, such as ethylene glycol, methanol, and toluene, are clearly toxins because they have no approved therapeutic utility for humans. On the other hand, some chemicals, such as salicylic acid, are drugs approved for human use. They become toxins only when an excessive amount is given. Ethanol is not included in this chapter even though metabolic acidosis can occur when excessive amounts are consumed. Alcoholic ketoacidosis is discussed in Chapter 10.