Which antidote is used for Datura poisoning?

The correct antidote for Datura poisoning is physostigmine, which is a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Datura species contain tropane alkaloids, including atropine and scopolamine, which antagonize the effects of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. This leads to symptoms such as dilated pupils, tachycardia, hallucinations, and significant agitation.

Physostigmine is effective in counteracting these effects because it increases the levels of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft by inhibiting its breakdown, thus overcoming the competitive antagonism created by the Datura alkaloids. It helps to restore the balance of neurotransmitters, alleviating symptoms related to the central nervous system and aiding in the reversal of anticholinergic effects.

In contrast, atropine, while it is also derived from plants and is related to the Datura alkaloids, would not be used as an antidote since it would exacerbate the symptoms rather than alleviate them. Activated charcoal is a general treatment for many types of poisonings as it can adsorb toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, but it does not specifically counteract the pharmacological effects of Datura. Naloxone is specifically