An antidote is a substance which can counteract a form of poisoning. The term ultimately derives from the Greek “pharmakon antidoton” medicine given as a remedy. In the majority of cases of acute poisoning, all that is required is intensive supportive therapy. Specific antidotes are rarely necessary, besides the fact that only a few genuine antidotes exist in actual practice, though there is no denying the dramatic results that can be achieved with some of them in appropriate circumstances. Proper antidotal therapy can be life-saving in some situations.
This topic covers: Mechanism of Actions, Adjuvant antidotes, Obselete Antidotes, Role of Antidote in Poisoning and Universal Antidote.