[New aspects of the pharmacokinetics of ethanol]

In the paper a survey on new results in the pharmacokinetics of ethanol is given. Resorption follows the rules of diffusion and is influenced by a lot of factors, this results in a high interindividual variation. Distribution is influenced by a first-pass-effect and the tissue contents of water. Metabolism is performed by alcohol dehydrogenase and microsomal ethanol oxidizing system. The kinetics of ADH is undependent on concentration, the MEOS is inducible. Results of acute and chronic ethanol treatment are discussed, clinical consequences are reviewed.