What is the antidote used for arsenic and lead toxicity?

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The antidote used for arsenic and lead toxicity is succimer. Succimer is a chelating agent that works by binding to the toxic metals in the body and facilitating their excretion, primarily through urine. It is specifically designed to treat heavy metal poisoning, including that from lead and arsenic, by reducing the body’s burden of these harmful substances.

Calcium chloride is primarily used in clinical settings to treat conditions like hypocalcemia or hyperkalemia, rather than for heavy metal detoxification. Oxygen is a critical component in the management of many medical emergencies, particularly respiratory issues, but is not effective as an antidote for heavy metal toxicity. N-acetylcysteine is commonly known for its role in treating acetaminophen overdose and does not target arsenic or lead specifically.

Therefore, succimer stands out as the appropriate and effective antidote for managing arsenic and lead toxicity, making it the correct choice in this scenario.

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