page_title: VX
section_title: Treatment
hierarchical_section_title: VX / Treatment
caption_attribution_description: English: MARK I Autoinjector First Aid-Kit of the U.S. armed forces Deutsch: MARK I Autoinjektor Erste Hilfe-Kit des US-Militärs
context_page_description: VX is a type of chemical weapon called a nerve agent. It is a very toxic chemical. Because it is so toxic, it cannot be used as anything other than a chemical weapon. The United Nations classifies VX as a weapon of mass destruction.
  VX is the most toxic nerve agent ever created. The Council on Foreign Relations says: "A fraction of a drop of VX, absorbed through the skin, can fatally disrupt the nervous system."
  The Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993, an international law, made it illegal for countries to use chemical weapons like VX. It also made it illegal to make or keep more than 100 grams of VX. It allows some scientists to make and use amounts under 100 grams only if they are trying to create an antidote, or doing medical research.
context_section_description: If a person got VX on their skin, the first step is to wash away the VX with bleach and water.  This is called decontamination.  Removing clothing that the VX touched is also part of decontamination.p.30
  There are antidotes for nerve agent poisoning.  They have to be given together.
  Atropine keeps extra acetylcholine from having any more effects on the body
  Pralidoxime (2-PAM) reverses the effects of VX.  It does this by attaching to the VX in the body.  With pralidoxime attached to it, VX cannot keep blocking acetylcholinesterase.  Acetylcholinesterase starts working again, and can destroy the extra acetylcholine that has built up in the body.
  However, nerve agents like VX work very quickly.  Antidotes usually have to be given within a few minutes after a person was exposed to VX.  If pralidoxime is not given soon enough, it cannot reverse VX's effects.p.6
  Usually, a sedative like diazepam (Valium) is also given.  This will help the body's muscles relax, and can prevent seizures.
caption: Nerve agent antidote kits used by the U.S. military, containing atropine and pralidoximine
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