Antidote, << AN tee doht or AN tih `doht,` >> is a substance that fights the harmful action of a poison in the body. Some antidotes act chemically on poisons to make them harmless. Other antidotes produce an action that works against the action of the poison. Still other antidotes can prevent certain body cells from reacting to the effects of a poison. Antitoxins are a special kind of antidote (see Antitoxin ).
Most antidotes are effective against only one kind of poison. But they usually have either a worsening effect or no effect at all when used against another type of poison. For this reason, a doctor should be called immediately in any case of poisoning.
