ETHANOL 70% Lock

 (Ethyl alcohol 70%)

Standard Prescription

ethanol 70% for CVC lock
ethanol 70% lock for occluded CVC per protocol

Dosages

For CVC lock:
Prescribed volume is equal to the central venous catheter (CVC) or port priming volume + extension set volume + needleless connect (cap) volume.

Refer to chart of volumes.

Maximum once daily.

For Occluded CVC:
See Child and Youth Health Policy for Management of Non-Functioning Central Venous Lines on ePOPS.

For Methanol and Ethylene Glycol poisoning, see Ethanol 99%.

Mechanism of Action

Dissolves lipid build-up caused by TPN infusions

Forms Supplied

Injection: 70% Ethanol (prepared by Pharmacy in 5 mL syringe)

Comments

For CVC lock:
  1. Flush CVC with normal saline to ensure patency.
  2. Instill prescribed volume into the CVC and needleless connector.
  3. Allow to dwell for prescribed time (minimum 4 hours and maximum 24 hours).
  4. To remove, aspirate ethanol and 1 mL of blood.  Discard. Do not flush ethanol lock into patient.
  5. If the ethanol cannot be aspirated and the CVC appears occluded, the physician should be contacted. Consideration may be given to a slow flush of the CVC with normal saline.
Possible adverse effects include: tiredness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, light-headedness.

Possible drug interaction with metronidazole. Monitor for flushing, palpitations, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting.

Ethanol may disrupt the integrity of polyurethane catheters (eg. Bard-Poly-Per-Q). Ethanol lock is recommended only with silicone catheters.

For Methanol and Ethylene Glycol poisoning, see Ethanol 99%.

References

8, 126, 159

Last Edited

2019-01-24 17:36:24