Antidotes work through several mechanisms depending on the nature of the toxicant. Some antidotes, like activated charcoal, adsorb the toxin to prevent further absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Others, such as naloxone for opioid overdose, act by competitively binding to receptor sites to displace the toxin. Chelating agents like EDTA bind to heavy metals, facilitating their excretion from the body.
