Pralidoxime

Pralidoxime is used to treat poisoning and drug overdose. It may cause pain where the injection was given.

Pralidoxime Overview

Updated: 

Pralidoxime is a prescription medication used to treat drug overdose and poisoning.  Pralidoxime belongs to a group of drugs called nerve gas antidotes.  These work by reactivating a substance in the body that nerve gas deactivates.

Pralidoxime is available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV), or muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of pralidoxime include headache, nausea, and increased heart rate. 

Pralidoxime can also cause dizziness.  Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how pralidoxime affects you.

How was your experience with Pralidoxime?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Pralidoxime?

What are you taking Pralidoxime for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Drug Overdose
  • Drug Toxicity

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Pralidoxime work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Pralidoxime to a friend?

Pralidoxime Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Pralidoxime

Pralidoxime is a prescription medication used to treat muscle weakness and trouble breathing due to poisoning by nerve agents or pesticides.  It is also used to treat overdose of certain medications used to treat myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis is a condition that causes weakness.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pralidoxime Brand Names

Pralidoxime may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Pralidoxime Drug Class

Pralidoxime is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Pralidoxime

Serious side effects have been reported with pralidoxime.  See the "Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects of pralidoxime include the following:

  • headache
  • blurred vision
  • nausea
  • increased heart rate
  • increased blood pressure
  • muscle weakness
  • injection site pain
  • dizziness

This is not a complete list of pralidoxime side effects.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.  You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.