What is pralidoxime?
Some drugs fight the effects of poison in the body and Pralidoxi is one of these drugs. Specific poisons that can treat the drug include pesticides of organophosphate and certain agents of chemical wars. Pralidoxim is usually used in conjunction with another drug called atropine.
When poisons such as military nervous substances or organophosphate fertilizers affect the human body, have an effect inactivating an enzyme called cholinesterase. The poisons are body muscles and crippling their movement. Muscles are essential for basic processes such as breathing, so it can be fatal. Pralidoxim causes cholinesterase enzyme to work again, thereby noting some adverse poison effects. It can also directly change some poisons into harmless forms.
The result of these effects is that the paralyzed muscles caused by poisoning can function again and the poisoned person can breathe again. Atropine - other chemicals that is administrated with the drug - also has beneficial effects on breathing but in a way that differs from the effectto pralidoxi. Together, both drugs give the best result in reviving breathing. Symptoms of poisoning that indicate the need for drugs include unusually small pupils of the eye, loss of intestinal control and convulsions.
Pralidoxim may be administered in case of accidental or deliberate ingestion of organophosphate pesticides. Examples of pesticides that can be treated with a drug in case of poisoning include Maathion, Diazinone and Sarin. Overdose of some medical drugs can also be treated with pralidoxime. People who have myasthenia gravis could take medicines such as Neostigmine, which can cause the same type of muscle paralysis as poisons if too much to consume.
Members of the army can be trained in injection techniques and have access to KDROG in the case of terrorist attacks that include nervous agents. This preparation can ensure that military staff can handle and avoid in emergency situationsthe victims. Pralidoxim can also be supplied in areas where nervous substances or organophosphates can be released in industrial accident.
The potential side effects of this drug include pain at the injection site, vision and dizziness problems. Heart rhythms and blood pressure may be affected as well as muscle strength and alertness. If an overdose occurs, medical support may be necessary for the patient to breathe. Up to three drug injections together with atropine could be required to fight the effects of poisoning in certain situations.