====== Bicarbonate ====== Bicarbonate is the primary antidote for [[:wikitox:2.1.11.9.2.1_tricyclic_antidepressants|TCA]] poisoning. As these are, by far, the most common cause of cardiac arrest in out of hospital poisonings - patients with drug overdose presenting in cardiac arrest or arresting shortly after arrival should receive a bolus of 1 ampoule of NaHCO3. The patient should then be [[:wikitox:alkalinisation|hyperventilated]].