What are the antidotes for mushroom poisoning?
Nov 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Yuhong
Introduction
Antidotal measures for mushroom poisoning generally include inducing vomiting, gastric lavage, catharsis, drug therapy, and blood purification. In the early stages of poisoning when the patient is conscious, immediately use fingers or a tongue depressor to stimulate the back of the throat, triggering the vomiting reflex to expel unabsorbed mushrooms and toxins from the stomach. Repeatedly induce vomiting until the vomitus becomes clear like water, which helps reduce toxin absorption.
Antidotal measures for mushroom poisoning generally include emesis, gastric lavage, catharsis, drug therapy, and blood purification. Specific details are as follows:
1. Emesis: In the early stages of poisoning when the patient is conscious, immediately use fingers or a tongue depressor to stimulate the back of the throat, triggering the vomiting reflex to expel unabsorbed mushrooms and toxins from the stomach. Repeat emesis multiple times until the vomitus becomes clear, which helps reduce toxin absorption.
2. Gastric Lavage: Seek medical attention promptly after poisoning. Doctors will perform gastric lavage using normal saline or activated charcoal suspension to remove residual mushroom fragments and toxins from the stomach. The earlier gastric lavage is performed, the more effective it is; its efficacy is limited if more than 6 hours have passed and toxins have already entered the intestines.
3. Catharsis: After gastric lavage, follow medical instructions to orally administer osmotic laxatives such as magnesium sulfate or mannitol to accelerate intestinal motility and promote the elimination of unabsorbed toxins. Catharsis is suitable for patients who are conscious and do not have intestinal obstruction; caution is advised in cases of severe dehydration or renal insufficiency.
4. Drug Therapy: Use specific antidotes depending on the type of toxin involved. For example, silibinin injection can be used to protect the liver in cases of Amanita poisoning, while intravenous atropine can counteract cholinergic symptoms caused by poisoning from Amanita muscaria. When no specific antidote is available, supportive detoxification drugs such as reduced glutathione for injection may be used.
5. Blood Purification: For severe cases of poisoning, hemoperfusion or plasma exchange can effectively remove toxin molecules from the bloodstream, especially beneficial in cases of Amanita toxins causing liver or kidney failure. These procedures must be conducted in an intensive care unit, with close monitoring of coagulation function and electrolyte balance during treatment.
In daily life, avoid picking and consuming wild mushrooms. Purchase mushrooms only from reputable sources, and ensure thorough cooking to destroy potential toxins. If symptoms of poisoning occur, seek immediate medical attention and preserve any remaining mushroom samples for identification.
