Cyanide antidote

A cyanide antidote is a medicine that counteracts cyanide poisoning by binding cyanide, converting it into a less toxic compound, or restoring cellular oxygen use.

Hydroxocobalamin: A cobalt-containing form of vitamin B12 used as an antidote that binds cyanide to form cyanocobalamin. It directly sequesters cyanide, producing a compound excreted in urine.
Cyanide poisoning: A potentially fatal toxic exposure that disrupts the body's ability to use oxygen at the cellular level. Antidotes are administered to reverse this poisoning while supportive care proceeds.
Bernard Claude: A French physiologist whose experiments established the role of cyanide in disrupting cellular respiration. His work helped define the toxic mechanism antidotes needed to overcome.
Amyl nitrite: A volatile nitrite formerly used by inhalation to induce methemoglobin in cyanide poisoning. It was an initial component of traditional antidote kits, but its role has diminished.
Sodium thiosulfate: A sulfur donor used to help convert cyanide into the less toxic thiocyanate. It supplies sulfur for the enzyme rhodanese to detoxify cyanide.
Cyanokit: A branded emergency kit containing hydroxocobalamin for treatment of known or suspected cyanide poisoning. It provides a ready-to-administer form of the direct-binding antidote.
Rhodanese pathway: The enzymatic conversion of cyanide to thiocyanate through sulfur transfer, chiefly involving rhodanese. Understanding endogenous detoxification led to sulfur-donor antidote strategies.
Cyanide antidote kit (historical): A legacy treatment regimen using nitrites and sodium thiosulfate for suspected cyanide poisoning. Its nitrite component can worsen oxygen delivery, unlike hydroxocobalamin's direct binding.
Sodium nitrite: A drug that induces methemoglobin formation and can divert cyanide from mitochondrial targets. Methemoglobin binds cyanide, though the resulting loss of oxygen-carrying capacity limits its use.
Smoke inhalation: The inhalation of gases and particles produced by fire, which can injure airways and expose victims to toxic substances. Fire victims may have cyanide exposure alongside carbon monoxide, shaping antidote selection.

Linked from 7 pages