A poison or toxin can be neutralized with antidotes. The antidotes work by either preventing the absorption of the toxin, by binding and neutralizing it, reducing its effects in the body, or by preventing the conversion of more toxic substances into the toxin.
You can take this quiz to learn more about the most common poisonings from drugs and their antidotes.
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Question of
The antidote for serotonin syndrome.
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Cyproheptadine
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Dimercaprol
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Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
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Acetylcysteine
Correct Wrong
The Serotonin Syndrome (SS) is a set of symptoms that can occur after using certain types of serotonergic medications. Cyproheptadine is an antihistamine that blocks H1 receptors, as well as blocking serotonin receptors. A mechanism by which it inhibits 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, the receptors responsible for serotonin syndrome symptoms, is known.
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Question of
The antidote for organophosphates and carbamate poisoning.
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Atropine
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Naloxone
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Leucovorin
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Cyanide
Correct Wrong
Atropine is not an actual antidote to organophosphate poisoning. Atropine, however, blocks the effects of acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors, which make it an effective treatment for organophosphate insecticides and nerve agents.
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Question of
The antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning.
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Ethanol and fomepizole
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Pralidoxime
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Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
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Acetylcysteine
Correct Wrong
Drinking ethylene glycol can cause poisoning. Colorless, sweet, and odorless, ethylene glycol is commonly found in antifreeze. Ethanol and fomepizole are antidotes for ethylene glycol poisoning.
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Question of
The antidote for methotrexate poisoning.
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Leucovorin
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Crotalidae polyvalent immune fab
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Octreotide
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Sodium bicarbonate
Correct Wrong
Folinic acid, also called leucovorin, works by reducing the toxic effects of methotrexate and pyrimethamine.
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Question of
The antidote for oral hypoglycemic agents.
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Octreotide
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Idarucizumab
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Oxygen
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Dimercaprol
Correct Wrong
Octreotide is useful in the overdose management of sulfonylurea type hypoglycemic medications, when persistent or resistant to dextrose administration. It works by suppressing insulin secretion, therefore blocking excessive pancreatic stimulation by sulfonylureas.
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Question of
The antidote for iron poisoning
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Deferoxamine
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Prussian blue
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Flumazenil
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Pralidoxime
Correct Wrong
Stomach pain is the first symptom of iron poisoning due to its corrosive nature, which damages the intestines, including the stomach. Deferoxamine is an antidote for iron poisoning.
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Question of
The antidote for rattlesnake envenomation.
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Crotalidae polyvalent immune fab
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Oxygen
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Cyproheptadine
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Calcium gluconate
Correct Wrong
Crotalidae polyvalent immune fab is a snake antivenin for treating Rattlesnake, Copperhead, and Cottonmouth/Water moccasin snake envenomation. It is marketed under the brand name CroFab.
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Question of
The antidote for dabigatran poisoning
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Idarucizumab
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Ethanol and fomepizole
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Sodium bicarbonate
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Cyanide
Correct Wrong
Known by the brand name Praxbind, idarucizumab works as a dabigatran reversal agent. Idarucizumab effectively reversed dabigatran's anticoagulation within minutes, according to a study.
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Question of
This is given for significant aspirin overdose, as it enhances the elimination of aspirin in the urine.
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Sodium bicarbonate
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Cyanide
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Dimercaprol
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Calcium chloride
Correct Wrong
For aspirin poisoning, there is no specific antidote. Aspirin overdoses are treated with sodium bicarbonate, as it enhances the elimination of aspirin from the body. The medication is given until a urine pH of 7.5 or 8.0 is achieved.
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Question of
The antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Oxygen
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Ethanol and fomepizole
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Sodium bicarbonate
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Octreotide
Correct Wrong
The antidote for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is oxygen. As oxygen is administered, its levels in the blood are increased and CO is removed from it.
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