Protamine sulfate is used for the overdose of which medication?

Protamine sulfate is a specific antidote for heparin overdose. Heparin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting certain factors in the coagulation cascade, and excessive amounts can lead to serious bleeding complications. When heparin is administered inappropriately or in doses that are too high, protamine sulfate can be given to neutralize its effects.

Protamine sulfate binds to heparin, forming a stable complex that effectively inactivates the anticoagulant, thereby restoring normal coagulation and reversing the anticoagulant effects. This makes it the treatment of choice for heparin toxicity.

Other medications mentioned, such as warfarin (also known as Coumadin, which is a brand name), aspirin, and their management differ. Warfarin is treated with vitamin K or prothrombin complex concentrates, and aspirin does not have a direct antidote; its effects are generally managed through supportive care or by administering activated charcoal if the ingestion was recent. These differences clarify why protamine sulfate is specifically used for heparin and not for the other options listed.