What is the recommended antidote for warfarin overdose?

The recommended antidote for warfarin overdose is vitamin K. Warfarin acts as a vitamin K antagonist, and its anticoagulation effect can be reversed by administering vitamin K, which allows for the synthesis of clotting factors that are dependent on vitamin K, specifically factors II, VII, IX, and X.

In situations where rapid reversal is necessary, such as life-threatening bleeding, higher doses of vitamin K may be used, often in the form of intravenous administration. The onset of action for oral vitamin K can take several hours, while intravenous administration can take effect much more quickly, thus making it the preferred choice in emergency settings.

While prothrombin complex concentrate can also be used to rapidly reverse the effects of warfarin, particularly in cases of acute bleeding, vitamin K remains the primary treatment to restore vitamin K levels and promote the production of clotting factors over time. Consequently, vitamin K is the cornerstone of management for warfarin overdose in non-emergency situations.