How Do Antidotes Work in Toxicological Treatments?
Antidotes are substances that counteract the effects of a poison. They work through different mechanisms, such as:
- Chemical reaction: Some antidotes chemically neutralize toxins. For example, chelating agents like EDTA bind to heavy metals, facilitating their excretion.
- Receptor antagonism: Antidotes like naloxone work by blocking the action of opioids at their receptors.
- Enzyme activation: Certain antidotes activate enzymes that metabolize toxins into less harmful substances. For example, N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione levels to detoxify acetaminophen metabolites.
- Competitive inhibition: Fomepizole inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase, preventing the metabolism of toxic alcohols like methanol into more harmful compounds.
