


Metabolic acidosis (a condition in which there is excess acid in the body fluids)Ĭyanide antidotes usually combine with cyanide to form a less toxic product that can be easily excreted from the body.The three available antidotes are given via intravenous (IV) infusion and, therefore, can only be administered by qualified healthcare professionals. Hypoxia (a condition where not enough oxygen reaches the cells and tissues in the body) Throughout this document, the term cyanides means cyanide salts like sodium or potassium cyanide, and hydrogen cyanide gas. Currently, the available cyanide antidotes are hydroxocobalamin, sodium nitrite, and sodium thiosulfate.

It inhibits oxidative phosphorylation in the cells-a process where oxygen is utilized for energy production-that can cause: Wildlife poisoning is on the rise across Africa, targeting elephants as well as pushing. Poisons like cyanide can be a deadly weapon for poachers, allowing them to kill dozens of animals without needing access to firearms or the backing of criminal syndicates. Medical exposures such as sodium nitroprussideĬyanide mixes into the bloodstream rapidly. Source: As poachers poison wildlife, Zimbabwe finds an antidote in tougher laws.However, in livestock species, the most frequent cause of acute and chronic cyanide. The most common causes of cyanide poisoning are: Toxicity can result from accidental, improper, or malicious use or exposure. Cyanide antidotes are drugs used for treating cyanide poisoning.
