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Antidote

Definition

• An antidote is an agent, remedy or treatment that counteracts the effect(s) of a poison or toxin.

Additional Info

Antidotes work by a variety of mechanisms. Here are just a few examples:
• Drug overdoses are often treated with oral doses of activated charcoal which binds the poison tightly, making it harder for your body to absorb the poison in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Syrup of ipecac removes a poison from your stomach by inducing vomiting.
• The antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning (from drinking antifreeze, for example), is ethyl alcohol; this keeps the body busily metabolizing the chemically similar alcohol instead of the toxin.
• Calcium gluconate gel is a topical (skin-applied) antidote for hydrofluoric acid exposure; it works by trapping the fluoride ion, F^-, as CaF₂.
• Atropine is an antidote for organo-phosphate poisoning caused by certain pesticides or nerve gases. It works by binding to your nervous system's acetylcholine receptors, protecting them against the excess acetylcholine produced when organo-phosphates bind to an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase.

MSDS Relevance

Antidotes are usually listed on an MSDS for use by emergency personnel. Some antidotes are useful only for certain kinds of exposures such as skin absorption, ingestion or inhalation so administration of an antidote should only be done after contacting a poison control center or other medical professional. When seeking emergency treatment for a chemical exposure, it is very useful to take the MSDS and label (if feasible and not dangerous) with you to the emergency room. You can contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers in an emergency situation by calling (800) 222-1222 (or call your local hospital emergency room). See the references in the poison entry for more about emergency poisoning procedures and resources.

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Further Reading

• American Association of Poison Control Centers or call (800) 222-1222.
• Poison Treatment in the Home by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Yahoo! Health has a nice summary on poisoning.
• Use of Activated Charcoal for poisonings at the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children. Details why you would not want to use syrup of ipecac or other emetics in many cases.
• Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition has several on-line articles available without registering, and many more if you do.

See also: activated charcoal, catharsis, emetic, highly toxic, poison.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.