Which substance acts as the antidote for Warfarin?

Vitamin K is the antidote for Warfarin because it plays a crucial role in the synthesis of clotting factors that Warfarin affects. Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication that functions by inhibiting the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver. When a patient needs to reverse the effects of Warfarin, especially in the case of a bleeding complication or prior to surgery, administering vitamin K will help restore the body’s ability to produce these essential clotting factors, thereby reversing anticoagulation.

In clinical settings, the timing and dosage of vitamin K may be carefully considered, as the onset of action can vary and depend on the severity of the Warfarin effects. It's vital to note that while other substances may counteract different types of medications, they do not have the same effect on Warfarin. For example, flumazenil is an antidote for benzodiazepine overdose, protamine sulfate is used to reverse the effects of heparin, and naloxone is an antidote for opioid overdose. Therefore, vitamin K is specifically indicated for reversing the anticoagulant effects of Warfarin.