BACKGROUND: Antidotes are therapeutic substances that are used primarily to counteract the toxic action of poisonous agents and thus have an important role in the treatment of poisoning. Antidote availability is crucial for the poisoned patient; it is important that hospitals keep antidotes in stock to treat these patients. Most antidotes are expensive, infrequently used, and have short shelf-lives. This makes hospital stocking economically difficult. In Norway, there is no national antidote programme. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The National Poisons Information Centre recently made an inquiry about antidote stocking in Norwegian hospitals. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: This survey showed that the antidote availability is not satisfactory. The availability of antidotes in Norwegian hospitals is discussed and recommendations are given.
BACKGROUND: Antidotes are therapeutic substances that are used primarily to counteract the toxic action of poisonous agents and thus have an important role in the treatment of poisoning. Antidote availability is crucial for the poisoned patient; it is important that hospitals keep antidotes in stock to treat these patients. Most antidotes are expensive, infrequently used, and have short shelf-lives. This makes hospital stocking economically difficult. In Norway, there is no national antidote programme. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The National Poisons Information Centre recently made an inquiry about antidote stocking in Norwegian hospitals. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: This survey showed that the antidote availability is not satisfactory. The availability of antidotes in Norwegian hospitals is discussed and recommendations are given.