Question:medium
Drug of choice for a scorpion sting bite is?
Drug of choice for a scorpion sting bite is?
Show Hint
Counter the catecholamine storm with an alpha-1 blocker.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- EDTA
- Neostigmine
- N-acetylcysteine
- Prazosin
Show Solution
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: The dangerous effects of a scorpion sting come from an autonomic catecholamine surge that loads the heart and floods the lungs.
Step 2: Blocking the alpha-1 receptor unloads the heart and clears pulmonary oedema, and the agent that does this is prazosin, making it the pharmacological drug of choice.
Step 3: Antivenom immunotherapy, midazolam for agitation and aspirin may supplement therapy according to severity, but they sit alongside prazosin rather than replacing it.
Step 4: The remaining options - EDTA, neostigmine and N-acetylcysteine - are antidotes for unrelated toxins, so prazosin is the answer.
\[\boxed{\text{Prazosin}}\]
Step 2: Blocking the alpha-1 receptor unloads the heart and clears pulmonary oedema, and the agent that does this is prazosin, making it the pharmacological drug of choice.
Step 3: Antivenom immunotherapy, midazolam for agitation and aspirin may supplement therapy according to severity, but they sit alongside prazosin rather than replacing it.
Step 4: The remaining options - EDTA, neostigmine and N-acetylcysteine - are antidotes for unrelated toxins, so prazosin is the answer.
\[\boxed{\text{Prazosin}}\]
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