Used off-label, not formally “FDA-approved” for many indications

GOOGLE OVERVIEW

• Antiseptic and Disinfectant: Ethanol, typically in concentrations of 60% to 90%, is used as a topical antiseptic and disinfectant to kill microorganisms. It is a common ingredient in hand sanitizers and medical wipes.
• Antidote for Methanol and Ethylene Glycol Poisoning: Ethanol acts as a competitive inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that metabolizes methanol and ethylene glycol into toxic byproducts. In cases where the preferred antidote, fomepizole, is unavailable or not tolerated, ethanol can be administered intravenously or orally to prevent the formation of these toxic metabolites.
• Solvent and Preservative: Ethanol is used as a solvent in many liquid medication formulations, such as cough syrup, pain medications, and mouthwashes, to enhance solubility and act as a preservative. However, the ethanol content in some medications, even in standard doses, can be significant enough to raise blood alcohol levels, especially in pediatric patients.
• Sclerosing Agent: In sclerotherapy, high concentrations of ethanol are directly injected into specific tissues to shrink or destroy them. This procedure is used to treat various conditions, including some types of cancer, painful musculoskeletal hemangiomas, and lymphatic malformations. 

• Drug Interactions: Ethanol interacts with many medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and some herbal remedies, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (.gov). These interactions can intensify side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination, making it dangerous to drive or operate machinery.
• Liver Damage: Ethanol is primarily metabolized in the liver, and combining it with medications that are also metabolized by the liver, like acetaminophen, can increase the risk of liver damage.
• Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Ulcers: The combination of alcohol and medications like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) can significantly increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.
• Other Interactions: Ethanol can interact with medications for diabetes, blood thinners like warfarin, and even some blood pressure medications. In some cases, the combination can lead to dangerously high blood pressure or dangerously low blood sugar.
• Children and Pregnant Women: The FDA, WHO, and EMA recommend avoiding or limiting the use of ethanol in oral pediatric formulations due to incomplete expression of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes in young children. The use of ethanol (injection) during pregnancy is cautioned, and ethanol enters breast milk, notes RxList.