picrotoxin

noun

pic·​ro·​tox·​in ˌpi-krō-ˈtäk-sən 

: a poisonous bitter crystalline stimulant and convulsive substance C₃₀H₃₄O₁₃ obtained from the berry of a southeast Asian vine (Anamirta cocculus) and used intravenously as an antidote for barbiturate poisoning

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

picrotoxin

noun

pic·​ro·​tox·​in ˌpik-rō-ˈtäk-sən 

: a poisonous bitter crystalline principle C₃₀H₃₄O₁₃ found especially in cocculus that is a compound of picrotoxinin and picrotin and is a stimulant and convulsant drug administered intravenously as an antidote for poisoning by overdoses of barbiturates