ANTIDOTE

Antidotes are substances which counteract

or neutralise the effects of poisons without
itself being harmful to the body .
 CLASSIFICATION
Physical Or Mechanical Antidotes
Chemical Antidotes
Physiological Or Pharmacological Antidotes
Chelating Agents
Universal Antidotes
Household Antidotes
PHYSICAL OR MECHANICAL ANTIDOTES

▪ Antidotes which physically hinder the absorption of the poison

1. Demulscents
Form an oily layer on the gastric mucosa so that absorption in the stomach
doesn’t occur
Eg –Oil ,Butter ,Ghee ,milk ,white of egg ,milk of magnesia , etc…
2. Bulky Foods
Engulfs the poison and make it non available for causing effects and for its
absorption.
Eg – Banana, Flour suspension, Boiled rice or Mashed potato
3. Activated Charcoal
Adsorbs the poison and makes it unavailable for absorption
Eg –Metals, Alkaloids and Glucosides
 CHEMICAL ANTIDOTES
Chemically react with the poison and thereby alter its chemical nature
1. Certain Substances react with poison and render it inert
Weak Alkalies (Calcium oxide or Magnesium Oxide) for acid poisoning
Weak acids for alkali poisoning
Calcium carbonate for oxalic acid poisoning
Copper sulphate for phosphorous poisoning
2. Tannin
(Obtained from strong tea) forms a complex and precipitates metals, alkaloids
and glucosides.
3. Kmno4
Weak solution of iodine oxidise the poison
PHARMACOLOGICAL ANTIDOTES

Substances which have a pharmacologically opposite action as

compared to the poison
1. Certain substances with opposite pharmacological action
Atropine for pilocarpine poisoning
Pilocarpine for dhatura poisoning
Ethyl alcohol for methyl alcohol poisoning
N-acetyl cystine in paracetamol poisoning
2. Immunotherapy
Eg – Digoxin antibodies and snake antivenin
CHELATING AGENTS
They are used in metal poisoning. They form a non-ionized complex
with the metal ion so that the metal ion is not available for absorption
and thereby cannot affect the enzyme system of the body.
1. B.A.L (British Anti Lewisite Or 2:3 dimercaptopropanol)
It has two unsaturated sulphydryl groups which combine with the
metal and thus prevent union of arsenic with the SH group of the
respiratory enzyme system. Compound formed by the heavy metal
and dimercaptopropanol is relatively stable and excreted in the urine.
2. E.D.T.A
Effective against lead, mercury and copper poisoning. It is used
specifically against lead poisoning.
Given either
a) Orally – 1 gm BD for 5 days
b) IV – 5 ml of 50% solution BD for 5 days
3. Penicillamine (dimethyl cystine)
It is a hydrolysis product of penicillin. It has a stable SH group.
Effective against copper, lead and mercury poisoning
It is given orally – 30 mg/kg in 4 divided doses for 5-10 days
4. DFM (Desferrioxamine/ desferal)
Effective against iron poisoning. It is given
Orally 8-2 gms per day or
IM or IV 2-3 gms per day
UNIVERSAL ANTIDOTE
It can be used in all cases of Constitue Obtained % Parts Action
poisoning especially when the nts from
nature of the poison is unknown. Charcoal Burnt bread 50% 2 Adsorbs poison
Mg Oxide Milk of 25% 1 Neutralises acids
It is given 15-30 gms orally. magnesia
Tannin Strong tea 25% 1 Precipitates
metals,alkaloids
and glucosides
HOUSEHOLD ANTIDOTES
Substances which are usually available in the house and can be used
as antidotes in the case of poisoning.
Milk is effective in almost all ingested poisons
Charcoal from burnt bread or toast
Common salt or mustard powder as emetic agent
Starch solution for iodine poisoning
Vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice for alkali poisoning
ELIMINATION OF ABSORBED POISON

It is done by
▪ Peritoneal diuresis
▪ Stimulating metabolism in liver (eg-Vitamin B-complex)
▪ Forced diuresis using frusemide or mannitol infusion
▪ Purgation(catharsis), using 30 gm NaSO4 Or MgSO4
▪ Hemo dialysis
▪ Haemperfusion
▪ Exchange transfusion
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