Introduction To Antagonists: Theory

Chemical Antagonism: Mode Of Action

Chemical antagonism - in which the agonist is chemically altered by the antagonist - is not a common form of antagonism.

However, there is a well-known example of chemical antagonism - when heavy metal ions (the agonists) interact with a chelating agent to form an inactive complex.

An example of chemical antagonism is seen when the heavy metal mercury interacts with the chelating agent dimercaprol.