A toxicologic syndrome, or toxidrome, is a distinct pattern of effects of poisoning. Well-defined toxidromes are the opioid, anticholinergic, cholinergic and sympathomimetic, and an additional described toxidrome is GABAergic. These toxidromes are named for the receptor effects causing their specific clinical findings, and knowledge of toxidromes allows rapid pattern recognition of specific poisonings. In this review, toxidromes and the initial assessment and general approach to management of acute poisoning are discussed. This article details the receptor-level effects of the poisoning, key clinical signs and symptoms and the role antidotes play in treatment. Clinical resources such as Toxbase and others exist to provide detailed guidance on clinical management of poisoning.