Which medication serves as an alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor for treating ethylene glycol or methanol toxicity?

Fomepizole is a specific inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme that metabolizes both ethylene glycol and methanol to their toxic metabolites. In cases of overdose from these substances, preventing the metabolism by inhibiting alcohol dehydrogenase helps reduce the formation of harmful byproducts such as formic acid from methanol and glycolic acid from ethylene glycol. By giving fomepizole, the toxic effects associated with these compounds can be diminished, and it is a first-line treatment in such poisonings.

Additionally, while ethanol can also be used to inhibit alcohol dehydrogenase due to its higher affinity for the enzyme, fomepizole is preferred as it has fewer side effects and is easier to use in a clinical setting. Acetylcysteine has no role in treating these types of toxicities; it is used primarily for acetaminophen overdose. Ditazole is not relevant in this context. Thus, fomepizole stands out as the most effective medication for this specific purpose.