Which antidote is used for methanol toxicity?

Fomepizole is the antidote used for methanol toxicity because it acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. This is crucial in methanol poisoning because methanol is metabolized in the liver to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, both of which are highly toxic. By preventing the conversion of methanol into these harmful metabolites, fomepizole effectively mitigates the toxic effects associated with methanol ingestion.

Additionally, fomepizole is preferred over other treatment options due to its efficacy and safety profile, allowing it to be used effectively even in cases of severe poisoning. By providing immediate action in blocking the toxic metabolic pathway, fomepizole is a critical component of the management protocol for methanol toxicity.

Other choices, while relevant in the context of other types of poisoning or indirectly related to methanol, do not directly address methanol toxicity effectively. Amyl nitrate is used in cyanide poisoning, N-acetylcysteine is primarily utilized in acetaminophen overdose, and activated charcoal can be an option for certain poisonings if administered shortly after ingestion, but it is not an antidote specifically for methanol.