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)* Arsenic, mercury
(for injection) (tabiets)
Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)*
Arsenic, mercury
(for injection) (tabiets)
Hydroxocobalamin (for injection) 1 Cyanides/nitriles
4-Dimethylaminophenoi (4-DMAP) Cyanides
Methylthionine (methylene blue) (for Nitrites, nitrobenzene (and other methaemogiobin-
injection)* forming agents)
Obidoxime (for injection)* 1 Organophosphates
Carbon monoxide, cyanides, hydrogen sulphide,
Oxygen 1
irritant gases, nitriles
Polyethylene glycoi 400 (topical) 1 Phenol
Potassium permanganate +
Phosphorus, white (yellow)
soidum bicarbonate (topical)* 1
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)*
lrritant gases
1
Tetracaine hydrochioride (eye
For eye irrigation
drops)*1
Nitrites, dinitrobenzene (and other
Toluidine blue (for iniection)*
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