a dated mixture of two parts activated charcoal, one part tannic acid, and one part magnesium oxide intended to be administered to patients who consumed poison. The mixture is ineffective and no longer used; activated charcoal is useful.

Purpose of review: For decades, activated charcoal has been used as a ‘universal antidote’ for the majority of poisons because of its ability to prevent the absorption of most toxic agents from the gastrointestinal tract and enhance the elimination of some agents already absorbed.

In acute overdose situations due to ingestion of potassium salt, the general principles of treatment for overdoses should be followed. Calcium chloride infusion, dextrose and insulin in water, and correction of acidosis with sodium bicarbonate are helpful in controlling the acute, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.

Flumazenil (Romazicon®) is the antidote for benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium®), lorazepam (Ativan®), and midazolam (Versed®), and must be administered intravenously.

Benzodiazepines (including diazepam, flunitrazepam and temazepam) Benzodiazepines are class C drugs. Some benzodiazepines belong to schedule 3 and some belong to schedule 4(1). Possession without a prescription, or supply or production without a licence, is illegal.

sleep problems (related to anxiety) – is 5mg to 15mg taken once a day at bedtime. muscle spasms in adults – is 2mg to 15 mg a day. This can be given as 1mg twice a day and go up to 5mg 3 times a day. The dose can be increased up to 20mg 3 times a day if needed.

Abstract. Flumazenil, a specific benzodiazepine antagonist, is useful in reversing the sedation and respiratory depression that often occur when benzodiazepines are administered to patients undergoing anesthesia or when patients have taken an intentional benzodiazepine overdose.

Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA).

A medicine called naloxone (Narcan) may be given if an opiate was part of the mix. This medicine often rapidly restores consciousness and breathing, but its action is short-lived, and may need to be given repeatedly. There is no direct antidote for barbiturates.23

Barbiturates are now scheduled II, III, and IV drugs in the United States, depending on their form and use. Presently, barbiturates are nearly nonexistent on the black market. However, although illegal barbiturate use is rare, it remains an extremely dangerous drug to abuse because of the high risk of fatal overdose.25

Barbiturates are a group of drugs in the class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics, which generally describes their sleep-inducing and anxiety-decreasing effects. Barbiturates can be extremely dangerous because the correct dose is difficult to predict. Even a slight overdose can cause coma or death.16

The toxic dose of barbiturates varies. However, an oral dose of one gram for most barbiturates can cause significant poisoning in an adult. Fatal cases of ingestion have occurred with doses ranging between 2.0 and 10.0 grams; the usual lethal blood level ranges from 40 to 80 mcg/mL.2

Barbiturates, another drug in this sedative-hypnotic class, depress the central nervous system and can cause sedation. Short- or long-acting barbiturates are prescribed as sedatives or sleeping pills. But more commonly, these hypnotic drugs are limited to use as anesthesia. They can be fatal in overdose.26

Injected into a vein barbiturates produce an almost immediate feeling of warmth and drowsiness.

Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotics, a type of central nervous system (CNS) depressant used to treat insomnia, seizures, and headaches.

Antianxiety drugs or minor tranquilizers include the benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide and diazepam; the muscle relaxant derivative meprobamate; sedatives such as the barbiturates; and buspirone, which was first introduced as an antipsychotic drug.

Symptoms of severe CNS depression include:

• reduced heart rate.
• low breathing rate of fewer than 10 breaths per minute.
• extreme confusion or memory loss.
• nausea and vomiting.
• poor judgment.
• blue lips or fingertips.
• irritability and aggression.
• clammy or cold skin.

Alcohol is classified as a Central Nervous System depressant, meaning that it slows down brain functioning and neural activity. Alcohol does this by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA.30

Alcohol is a depressant with some stimulant effects. In small doses, it can increase your heart rate, aggression, and impulsiveness.16

If you’re asking yourself “is alcohol an upper or a downer?” the scientific answer is that it’s a downer. Alcohol works as a depressant to slow down vital bodily functions.24

Caffeine Withdrawals If we think of caffeine as a stimulant, an upper, withdrawal symptoms will feel like a downer. Depending on the amount of caffeine and your personal tolerance level, mild withdrawal symptoms can include headache, generalized fatigue, decreased energy, increased drowsiness, and a depressed mood.15