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Antidote - what is it?

In case of intoxication of the body, toxic (poisonous) substances entering the bloodstream, it becomes necessary to neutralize toxins by chemical means and remove them outside the body. For these purposes, special active chemicals are used that can instantly bind to toxins and form stable compounds that are safe for the health of the body. Such substances are called antidotes.

Antidotes are used in cases where there is no other way to remove the poison from the body, as well as when immediate neutralization of the poison is required.

Antidotes are used:

in case of drug poisoning (overdose),
in case of food poisoning,
in case of poisoning with industrial alcohols,
in case of poisoning with household chemicals,
in case of poisoning with acids or alkalis,
with gas poisoning.

Antidotes are prescribed by a toxicologist who is trained to manipulate anti-toxic pharmaceuticals. It is for this reason that in case of poisoning, it is important to quickly deliver the victim to the toxicology department, and not to deal with the treatment of poisoning at home. In most cases of severe poisoning, it is the antidotes that save the life of the injured person. It is forbidden to take antidotes on your own, since many of them themselves can have a chemical effect on the body.

There are pharmaceuticals (adsorbents) that act as an antidote, adsorbing toxic substances on the surface of their crystals and removing them through the gastrointestinal tract. The most used are adsorbents (Activated carbon, Polysorb, Lignin). Such adsorbents are also used as antidotes in cases where the toxic substance has not yet managed to enter the bloodstream, but is in the stage of "digestion" in the stomach or intestines.

It is the adsorbents that are first aid preparations at home for various kinds of poisoning. Adsorbents are allowed to be used independently, without waiting for the arrival of a doctor, at the first signs of poisoning. In difficult cases, the adsorbent will not completely neutralize the toxic substance, but will significantly reduce its concentration in the gastrointestinal tract, which means that much less toxin will enter the bloodstream.