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Ethanol lock therapy (ELT)
Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) is a Antimicrobial catheter lock solution Small molecule drug developed by Children's Hospital of Michigan. It is currently FDA-approved for Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in patients with central venous catheters, Treatment of catheter-related infections in patients dependent on long-term vascular access. Also known as: 70% Ethanol in water.
Ethanol lock therapy uses a high-concentration ethanol solution instilled into central venous catheters to prevent and treat biofilm-related catheter infections.
Ethanol lock therapy uses a high-concentration ethanol solution instilled into central venous catheters to prevent and treat biofilm-related catheter infections. Used for Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in patients with central venous catheters, Treatment of catheter-related infections in patients dependent on long-term vascular access.
At a glance
| Generic name | Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 70% Ethanol in water |
| Sponsor | Children's Hospital of Michigan |
| Drug class | Antimicrobial catheter lock solution |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease / Hospital-Acquired Infection Prevention |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
ELT works by filling the catheter lumen with 70-100% ethanol between uses, where the ethanol denatures proteins and disrupts bacterial biofilm formation on the catheter surface. This antimicrobial approach reduces catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in patients with long-term central lines, particularly those requiring parenteral nutrition or frequent vascular access.
Approved indications
- Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in patients with central venous catheters
- Treatment of catheter-related infections in patients dependent on long-term vascular access
Common side effects
- Catheter dysfunction or occlusion
- Local irritation or thrombophlebitis
- Ethanol toxicity (rare, with proper technique)
Key clinical trials
- Ethanol-lock Therapy for the Prevention of Non-tunneled Catheter-related Infection in Pediatric Patients (PHASE3)
- Preemptive Ethanol Lock Therapy in Pediatric Bloodstream Infection (PHASE4)
- Prophylactic Ethanol Lock Therapy (ELT) in Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition (PHASE1, PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Children's Hospital of Michigan portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Ethanol lock therapy (ELT)
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Related
- Drug class: All Antimicrobial catheter lock solution drugs
- Manufacturer: Children's Hospital of Michigan — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Infectious Disease / Hospital-Acquired Infection Prevention
- Indication: Drugs for Prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in patients with central venous catheters
- Indication: Drugs for Treatment of catheter-related infections in patients dependent on long-term vascular access
- Also known as: 70% Ethanol in water
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing