WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it had approved a child's dose of atropen to counteract exposure to nerve agents or pesticides. The drug, an injectable form of atropine made by a subsidiary of Bristol, Tennessee-based King Pharmaceuticals, has been approved for adults for decades.

"FDA Commissioner Mark B. McClellan has placed a high priority in making available safe and effective countermeasures against potential terrorist acts," the FDA said in a statement. "Today's approval of the Atropen for children and adolescents is part of those efforts."

The injecting pen-style device is designed for use by specialists, the FDA said. They need training in recognizing and treating poisoning by insecticides or nerve agents.

Each pre-filled auto-injector has a dose of the antidote atropine, which prevents victims from choking by reducing secretions and relieving constriction and spasm of respiratory passages. It may also work against muscle paralysis.

"This product is not considered primary protection against exposure to chemical nerve agents and insecticide poisoning; primary protection consists of protective garments including masks designed specifically for this us," the FDA added.

The injectable antidote is made by Meridian Medical Technologies of Columbia, Maryland.

"Atropen is the first product to emerge from the pipeline of products we acquired as part of our acquisition of Meridian," Reuters quoted Kyle Macione, president of King, as saying in a statement. "We are confident that King's established capabilities should continue to expand the prospects for the potential development of other new and innovative products utilizing Meridian's preeminent auto-injector technology."