What is the antidote for Heparin overdose?

The antidote for Heparin overdose is Protamine sulfate. Heparin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting certain clotting factors in the blood, thereby preventing the formation of clots. When there is an overdose, or excessive anticoagulation, it can lead to serious bleeding complications.

Protamine sulfate acts specifically by binding to heparin to form a stable complex that neutralizes its anticoagulant effect. This allows for the restoration of normal clotting function and helps to manage the risks associated with heparin overdose. The use of Protamine sulfate is well-established in clinical practice for reversing the effects of heparin, particularly in emergency situations where rapid anticoagulation reversal is required.

Other options, like Vitamin K, are related to reversing the effects of certain other anticoagulants, such as warfarin, but do not affect heparin. Activated charcoal is used in cases of certain poisonings, but its effectiveness in heparin overdose is limited because heparin is not significantly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract post-ingestion. Citrate is more commonly associated with anticoagulation in blood products rather than as an antidote for heparin. Thus, Protamine sulfate is the specifically designed and validated