[Variabilities of kinetics of alcohol catabolism]

The resorption, distribution and elimination of ethanol vary individually. The differences in the resorption deficit and elimination coefficient can be of great extent. Though the generally accepted average of resorption deficit is 20%, which is calculated with in forensic practice, this value can occasionally be a lot higher. The elimination coefficient (beta value) depends on the blood alcohol level. Beta value was found higher than 0.15%o/h, the generally accepted one, even below 1.5% blood alcohol content, above 2.5% the beta value was found to be as high as 0.33%o h. This faster rate of ethanol clearance is due to induction of alcohol elimination systems. The ethanol metabolism at higher blood alcohol levels is characterized by Michaelis-Menten kinetics.