What it means
An antidote works against a specific drug or poison. Examples nurses must know: naloxone reverses opioids, flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines, protamine sulfate reverses heparin, vitamin K reverses warfarin, acetylcysteine treats acetaminophen overdose, digoxin immune fab treats digoxin toxicity, and atropineAT-roh-peenAn anticholinergic drug that blocks the parasympathetic nervous system, which speeds the heart rate and dries secretions.Full entry treats organophosphate poisoning.
For the nurse
Know where the antidotes are kept for the high-alert drugs you give. After giving naloxone, keep watching the client, because the opioid may last longer than the naloxone and breathing can slow again.
At a glance
| Drug class | antidote (reversal agent) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | antídoto |
| Also written | antidotes, reversal agent, reversal agents |
Related terms
heparin
An anticoagulant drug, given by injection or IV, that keeps blood clots from forming or growing.
morphine
A strong opioid drug used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
atropine
An anticholinergic drug that blocks the parasympathetic nervous system, which speeds the heart rate and dries secretions.
poisoning
Harm to the body caused by swallowing, breathing in, touching or being injected with a harmful substance, or taking too much of a drug.