Common Drugs and Their Antidote (Part 3)

Calcium gluconate gels are used to treat hydrofluoric acid burns. Calcium gluconate reacts with hydrofluoric acid to form insoluble, non-toxic calcium fluoride.

Pyridoxine, which is vitamin B6, can be found in foods and nutritional supplements. This supplement is used to treat side effects of isoniazid therapy and certain types of mushroom poisoning. It is necessary for some patients to take vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) during isoniazid (INH) therapy in order to prevent peripheral neuropathy from developing.

In case of poisoning from sodium-channel blockers, sodium bicarbonate or lactate increase serum pH and extracellular concentration of the ion, which displaces the drug from its receptor sites and can be used to treat cardiac toxicity.

Inhaling fumes from burning nitrile-containing polymer products, such as polyurethane or vinyl, can cause acute hydrogen cyanide poisoning. Among the antidotes to cyanide poisoning are hydroxocobalamin, sodium nitrite, and sodium thiosulfate. Sodium thiosulfate may be given alone, or in combination with sodium nitrite and hydroxocobalamin.

The reversal of heparin's effects can be achieved with protamine sulfate. This drug is used to reverse the effects of heparin during delivery and heart surgery, as well as to reverse heparin overdose and low-molecular-weight heparin overdose.

Activated charcoal, aka activated carbon, is a medication that is used to treat poisonings that have occurred through ingestion. Activated charcoal prevents poison from being absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Generally, it must be administered within an hour after the poisoning occurs for it to be effective.

Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses immediately. It works as an opioid antagonist. The drug binds to opioid receptors and counteracts and inhibits the effects of other opioids. If an individual's breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose, naloxone can return their breathing to normal immediately.