The heavy metal antagonists have the property of forming complexes with heavy metals and preventing or reversing the binding of metallic cations to body ligands. These complexes are called chelates. Attention must be paid to the solubility of these complexes and their route of excretion. A list of the antidote and the toxic substance(s) it antagonises is found below: Antidote - Desferrioxamine Toxic Substance - Iron Antidote - Sodium Calciumedetate Toxic Substance - Lead Antidote - Penicillamine Toxic Substance - Copper, Lead
