Which antidote is generally used for Tricyclic Antidepressants toxicity?

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The antidote generally used for Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) toxicity is sodium bicarbonate. This is primarily due to its ability to help counteract the cardiotoxic effects associated with TCA overdose, particularly when it comes to arrhythmias and metabolic acidosis.

Sodium bicarbonate acts by alkalinizing the serum and urine, which can enhance the elimination of TCAs from the body. The alkaline environment helps to stabilize the heart's electrical activity, reducing the risk of fatal arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or widened QRS complexes that can occur with TCA toxicity. Additionally, administering sodium bicarbonate can restore normal acid-base balance in the patient, further mitigating the effects of the overdose.

Understanding the mechanism of action of this treatment highlights its importance in the management of TCA toxicity and why it is preferred over other options that may not address the specific pharmacological issues presented by TCAs.

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