For a 15-year-old with CNS depression after clonidine ingestion, which antidote is likely beneficial?

In the case of CNS depression resulting from clonidine ingestion, naloxone is the appropriate antidote. Clonidine primarily acts as an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, which can lead to symptoms of central nervous system depression, such as sedation and respiratory depression. While clonidine primarily causes sedation, its effects can sometimes be exacerbated if there is concurrent use of opioid medications.

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that works by competitively inhibiting the effects of opioids on the central nervous system, thus reversing respiratory depression and sedation associated with opioid overdose. Even though clonidine itself isn't an opioid, if the patient has a mixed overdose scenario where opioids are involved, naloxone can be lifesaving.

This concept highlights that, although naloxone specifically targets opioid effects, its use can be pivotal in managing respiratory depression when it is suspected that other depressants, including opioids, may be involved. In cases of pure clonidine overdose without the presence of other depressants, supportive care remains the mainstay of treatment, as there is no specific antidote for clonidine itself.