Getting some of the rarer antidotes has recently been clarified across Yorkshire (Accessing rarely used antidotes-SOP)
Information on where Antidotes are held is available on the intranet
Antidote should be available within 1 hour
- Digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Digifab®)
Digifab® should be available in the both Emergency Drug Cupboards.
Antidote held @ SJUH
- Sodium calcium edetate injection [Lead]
- DMSA (succimer) capsules [Mercury/Arsenic]
- DMPS (unithiol) injection and capsules [Mercury/Arsenic]
- Berlin Blue soluble (Prussian Blue) Capsules [Caesium/Thallium]
- Botulinum antitoxin
- Pralidoxime [Organophosphate]
- Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (not on “rare antidote” form but contact pharmacist as below, needs authorisation by consultant microbiology or PHE)
Contact SJUH: (in-hours) Dispensary responsible pharmacist or (out of hours) on-call pharmacist. Agree amount to be sent (toxbase will give dose & duration) & transport.
Complete requisition form (Appendix 2) and send to the email/fax agreed with the SJUH pharmacist.
Drugs (except red) also held @ Sheffield and Hull – information & request forms in SOP
Antidote held nationally
- Glucarpidase [Methotrexate]
Due to cost this is not held in yorkshire but after discussion with NPIS (number on toxbase) it can be obtained from Oxford Pharmacy Store 24 hours a day 7 days a week (contact oncall pharmacist)
- Uridine Acetate [5-Fluorouracil or Capecitabine
Due to cost this is not held in yorkshire but after discussion with NPIS (number on toxbase) it can be obtained from Oxford Pharmacy Store 24 hours a day 7 days a week (contact oncall pharmacist)
- Antivenoms – Exotic Species
Access to these antivenoms (antiserums) is available to the NHS but clinical authorisation is required and advice from an expert and it is on a named patient basis. Contact NPIS for further advice.
