Appendix VIII
List of examples of chemical antidotes
OECD, 1994, Health Aspects of Chemical Accidents. Guidance on Chemical Accidents Awareness, Preparedness and Response for Health Professionals and Emergency Responders (Environment Monograph no 81). Reproduced by permission of the OECD.
Table 2.1. Antidotes and other drugs that may be needed in the event of a chemical accident
| Antidote/drug | Indication |
| Amyl nitrite (for inhalation) 1 | Cyanides, nitriles |
| Atropine (for injection) 1 | Organophosphates, carbamates |
| Budesonide (for inhalation)* 1,2 | Irritant gases |
| Betamethasone (for injection) 1,2 | Irritant gases |
| Calcium gluconate (topical) 1 | Hydrofluoric acid |
| Calcium saits (for iniection)** | Hydrofluoric acid |
| Cobait edetate | Cyanides (nitriles) |
| Copper solution* 1 | Phosphorus white (yellow) |
| Dimercaproi* | Arsenic, mercury |
| Dimercaptopropane sulphonate (DMPS)* (for injection) (tabiets) |
Arsenic, mercury |
| Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)* (for injection) (tabiets) |
Arsenic, mercury |
| Hydroxocobalamin (for injection) 1 | Cyanides/nitriles |
| 4-Dimethylaminophenoi (4-DMAP) | Cyanides |
| Methylthionine (methylene blue) (for injection)* | Nitrites, nitrobenzene (and other methaemogiobin-forming agents) |
| Obidoxime (for injection)* 1 | Organophosphates |
| Oxygen 1 | Carbon monoxide, cyanides, hydrogen sulphide, irritant gases, nitriles |
| Polyethylene glycoi 400 (topical) 1 | Phenol |
| Potassium permanganate + soidum bicarbonate (topical)* 1 |
Phosphorus, white (yellow) |
| Pralidoxime (for iniection)* 1 | Organophosphates |
| Salbutamoi (for inhalation)* 1 | lrritant gases |
| Sodium nitrite 1 | Cyanides, nitriles |
| Sodium thiosulphate (for iniection) 1 | Cyanides, nitriles |
| Terbutaline sulphate (for inhalation)* 1 | lrritant gases |
| Tetracaine hydrochioride (eye drops)*1 | For eye irrigation |
| Toluidine blue (for iniection)* | Nitrites, dinitrobenzene (and other methaemogiobin-forming |
| Xanthine derivatives | lrritant gases |
Can be replaced by an equivalent substance or preparation
Excluding calcium chloride
1 Use may be required at the accident site
2 These indications for the use of corticosteroids remain controversial