[Decontamination and antidotes in acute cases of poisoning]

In acute poisoning the maintenance or reconstitution of vital functions is the first and most critical action. All subsequent therapies and the prognosis depend on the identification of the causative agent and on information about substance-specific toxicity. Despite incomplete evidence the concept of harm reduction by decreased absorption of the toxicants and by shortening the course of illness is consistent with toxicokinetic-dynamic principles and is therefore still used by clinical toxicologists. All these treatment options have to be seen within the context of the prognosis and the time course of an individual case of poisoning. Treatment options of gastrointestinal decontamination are (in decreasing order of importance) single-dose activated charcoal, whole bowel irritation, and gastric lavage. Induced emesis by ipecac syrup is not practiced anymore. Enhanced elimination techniques are multiple-dose activated charcoal, urine alkalinization, and extracorporeal techniques such as hemodialysis and hemoperfusion. Enhanced elimination is only beneficial in toxicants with long half-life. Antidotes are directed against specific agents and therefore may be used only in a limited number of cases. The procurement of specific antidotes, often hardly available and not approved, is facilitated if the supply is organized in a transparent and standardized manner.