What is the recommended antidote for warfarin overdose?

Study for the VATI Pharmacology Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The recommended antidote for warfarin overdose is Vitamin K. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which are essential for blood coagulation. When someone has an overdose of warfarin, the primary goal is to reverse its effects and restore the normal clotting function of the blood.

Vitamin K plays a critical role in synthesizing clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver. Administering Vitamin K helps to replenish the levels of these factors, effectively countering the anticoagulant effects of warfarin. Depending on the severity of the overdose and the degree of bleeding, the amount and route of Vitamin K (oral or intravenous) may vary, but it is universally recognized as the first-line treatment for managing warfarin toxicity.

Other options, such as Vitamin C, Folic Acid, and Calcium, do not have the properties required to reverse the effects of warfarin. Therefore, they are not appropriate treatments for warfarin overdose. Understanding the specific mechanisms by which Vitamin K interacts with clotting factors reinforces why it is the correct choice in this scenario.

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