What is the antidote for poisoning from anticoagulant bait?

The antidote for poisoning from anticoagulant bait is Vitamin K. This is because anticoagulant rodenticides work by interfering with the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver, which leads to impaired coagulation and can result in serious bleeding. When someone is exposed to anticoagulant poisons, administering Vitamin K can help restore these clotting factors and promote normal blood coagulation.

Vitamin K acts as a critical component in the synthesis of various factors, specifically Factor II (prothrombin), Factor VII, Factor IX, and Factor X. Providing Vitamin K allows the body to replenish these essential proteins, thereby mitigating the effects of the anticoagulant poison and preventing severe complications, such as hemorrhage.

Other substances listed, such as activated charcoal, may assist in reducing the absorption of the poison if administered shortly after ingestion but do not counteract the anticoagulant effects. Folic acid has no relationship to anticoagulation processes, and calcium gluconate is used in specific conditions like hypocalcemia but does not address anticoagulant toxicity. Thus, Vitamin K's direct role in restoring normal clotting functions makes it the correct choice for this situation.