New and Novel Antidotes in Pediatrics

Abstract

Antidotal therapy can be lifesaving in the management of poisoned children. Although supportive care is sufficient in many cases, a specific antidote can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in a number of poisoning scenarios, and so the pediatric emergency medicine practitioner must be familiar with its indications for use, dosage and administration, and contraindications. A number of new antidotes have emerged in recent years. This review discusses the pediatric uses and limitations of intravenous N-acetylcysteine, octreotide, crotaline Fab antivenom, fomepizole, atropine and pralidoxime autoinjectors and provides some brief discussion on newer antidotes for which data is only starting to emerge.