Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol) Unit Converter

MedFinal Seamless Index

Isopropanol (C₃H₈O), commonly known as rubbing alcohol, is a toxic alcohol found in many household and industrial products (e.g., disinfectants, hand sanitizers, solvents). Ingestion leads to central nervous system (CNS) depression, coma, and gastrointestinal irritation.

Clinically, isopropanol poisoning is diagnosed by measuring the serum concentration and calculating the Osmolal Gap. A critical distinction is that isopropanol is metabolized into Acetone (which is also a CNS depressant) but does not produce the highly acidic metabolites (formic acid, oxalic acid) seen in methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning. This means isopropanol causes a large osmolal gap but typically no severe metabolic acidosis. This converter facilitates switching between the SI unit (mmol/L) and the conventional mass unit (mg/dL).

[Image of toxic alcohol metabolism pathway]

SI Units

Recommended

mmol/L

µmol/L

Millimoles per liter (Standard International).

Conventional Units

mg/dL

g/L

mg/L

mg%

Clinical Context

Toxic Threshold: Symptoms usually appear when serum concentrations exceed 50 mg/dL. Severe toxicity can occur above 150 mg/dL.

The primary danger of isopropanol ingestion is profound CNS depression, leading to respiratory failure. Treatment is primarily supportive (unlike methanol/ethylene glycol, where ethanol/Fomepizole is needed). The conversion factor relies on MW 60.10 g/mol: 1 mmol/L ≈ 6.01 mg/dL.

Clinical References

How to Use This Calculator

Follow these steps to get accurate clinical conversions instantly.

Enter Values

Input your laboratory results into the corresponding unit field (e.g., mg/dL). You can use either dot or comma decimals.

Automatic Conversion

The calculator works in real-time. As you type in one field, all other units (like mmol/L) are instantly updated.

Verify Units

Check the SI Units section. mmol/L is the international standard.

Reset

Use the Clear button to reset all fields before starting a new calculation.

? Frequently Asked Questions & Tips

Is mg/dL the same as mg%?

Yes. mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) and mg% (milligrams percent) are numerically identical.

How is this test used with the Osmolal Gap?

The Osmolal Gap is typically high in isopropanol poisoning. This helps distinguish it from ethanol, which has a smaller gap at comparable doses.

Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for educational and reference purposes only. It is not intended for clinical diagnosis, treatment, or medical decision-making. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional and refer to your laboratory’s official reference ranges before interpretation.

Browse Medical Laboratory Calculators