<p>Pralidoxime reactivates cholinesterase outside the CNS that had been inactivated by phosphorylation due to exposure to certain organophosphates by displacing the enzyme from its receptor sites. It removes the phosphoryl group from the active site of the inactivated enzyme by nucleophilic attack, regenerating active cholinesterase and forming an oxime complex. It also detoxifies certain organophosphates by direct chemical reaction.</p>