Principal investigator Steven Patterson of University of Minnesota said current cyanide antidotes work slowly and are ineffective when administered after a certain point.

The new antidote works in less than three minutes, Patterson said.

"It's much, much faster than current antidotes," Patterson said in a statement. "The antidote is also effective over a wider time window. Giving emergency responders more time is important because it's not likely that someone will be exposed to cyanide near a paramedic."

The antidote, tested on animals, has been exceptionally effective and Patterson said he hopes to begin human clinical trials during the next three years. The antidote is unique because it can be taken orally -- current antidotes must be given intravenously -- and may be administered up to an hour prior to cyanide exposure.

The research is published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.