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Summary of Treatments Used for Exposure to Chemical Warfare Agents

Agent ClassAntidote/Effects
Counteracting Treatment		Supportive/Other Treatment
Nerve
Agents
  1. Decontamination
  2. Atropine
  3. Oximes (pralidoxime/obidoxime)
  4. Anticonvulsant (e.g., diazepam)
Yes, especially for breathing
Mustard
Agents
    Decontamination
Yes, especially for breathing; Damaged areas of skin must be protected to heal
Organoarsine
Blister Agents
  1. Rapid decontamination
  2. British Anti-Lewisite
Yes
Halogenated Oximes
    Rapid decontamination
Yes, especially for breathing and pain; Damaged areas of skin must be protected to heal
Blood
Agents
  1. Decontamination
  2. tie up cyanide (e.g., using sodium nitrite)
  3. convert cyanide to less harmful form (e.g., using sodium thiosulfate)
Yes, especially for cyanogen agents for which supportive care is used as for choking agents
Choking
Agents
    Decontamination
Yes, especially for breathing
Riot-control Agents
    Decontamination
Observe to ensure no serious effects
Incapacitating Agents
    Decontamination/Some agent-specific antidotes exist if agent can be identified
Protect from injury until effects wear off
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