antidoti

Antidoti, in Italian, means antidotes. In English, antidotes are substances that counteract poisons by neutralizing toxins or blocking their effects. They may neutralize toxins chemically, act as receptor antagonists to reverse pharmacologic effects, re-enable normal cellular processes by reactivating inhibited enzymes, or enhance elimination from the body. Antidotes are used in clinical toxicology to treat poisoning or overdose and are administered under medical supervision in hospitals or poison centers.

Antidotes are categorized by their mechanism: chemical antidotes that bind or inactivate the toxin; receptor antagonists that block the toxin’s action; metabolic antidotes that restore normal metabolism; and chelating agents or scavengers that remove toxins from the body. Common examples include naloxone for opioid overdose; flumazenil for certain benzodiazepine overdoses (with caution); pralidoxime for organophosphate poisoning; fomepizole for methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning; hydroxocobalamin or the nitrite-thiosulfate combination for cyanide poisoning; N-acetylcysteine for acetaminophen toxicity; and chelators such as dimercaprol or calcium disodium EDTA for some heavy metals.

Limitations include that antidotes are not universally available for every toxin, must be used promptly, and can cause adverse effects or interact with treatments. Many antidotes serve as adjuncts to supportive care, decontamination, and ventilation. Ongoing research aims to expand safe, effective antidotes and improve rapid deployment in emergencies.