What Happens If You Drink Rubbing Alcohol?
Rubbing alcohol is not safe to drink, and while a small accidental sip may just cause nausea or an upset stomach, intentional ingestion can be extremely dangerous, even life-threatening.
In this quick video, we explain the difference between a mild exposure and a serious emergency. You’ll also learn why never transferring rubbing alcohol into another container is so important, and how proper use in well-ventilated areas helps avoid dangerous fumes.
Bottom line: don’t use rubbing alcohol to get drunk. It’s not ethanol, it’s a toxic chemical that can do real harm.
If you or someone you know accidentally swallows rubbing alcohol, call the Missouri Poison Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with a person holding a bottle of rubbing alcohol and the title “What happens if you drink rubbing alcohol?”. The Missouri Poison Center logo is visible.
Sound: Upbeat, light instrumental music begins.
Visual: Person 1, wearing a blue “#Poison Prevention” t-shirt, stands in a studio-like room. A small bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol is superimposed next to him.
Person 1: Hey, what happens if I drink rubbing alcohol? Well, let’s start with the bad news: Intentional abuse of rubbing alcohol can lead to potentially life-threatening intoxication and coma. But the good news is that accidentally swallowing a small amount usually leads to very few symptoms. The most common being: Nausea, Upset Stomach, and Vomiting. You know, all those things that that over-the-counter, chalky-tasting pink goo stuff is supposed to fix.
Visual: Person 1 holds up a pink bottle of liquid stomach medicine, makes a face, and points at it.
Person 1: This one. Never transfer rubbing alcohol from its original container to a different one. It makes it hard to keep track of. Kind of like that shell game that people try to con you into playing on the subway. Always use it in a well-ventilated area, and NEVER drink it to get drunk. Look, it’s not ethanol. It’s trash booze. Stop that.
Visual: Missouri Poison Center logo on a white background with the phone number “1-800-222-1222”. Text reads “Open 24/7!”
Person 1: If you or your child accidentally ingest rubbing alcohol, call the Missouri Poison Center right away. At 1-800-222-1222. It’s fast, free, and confidential.
Visual: Back to Person 1.
Person 1: And if you have a question about poisons that you’d like to see us make a video about, leave us a comment below!
