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Antivenom (Injection)

Manufactured by: Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Snake Venom Antiserum Similar medicine

Antivenom is indicated for

  • Snake Venom Antiserum is indicated for bites caused by Cobra
  • Common Krait
  • Russell's Viper
  • Saw-Scaled Viper
  • where the patient presents with one or more of fallowing visible clinical signs
  • symptoms of envenomation – 1. Local envenomation- a) Presence of bite marks with or without oozing of blood
  • blistering
  • change in color of skin. b) Rapidly progressive or massive swelling involving more than half of the bitten limb within few hours of bite (without tourniquet) c) Development of enlarged tender lymph nodes draining the bitten part within couple of hours after bite 2. Systemic envenomation- a) Neurotoxic syndrome- signs of neuro-paralysis like blurring of vision
  • double vision
  • and difficulty in swallowing
  • sleepy feeling
  • drooping of head
  • slurring of speech
  • the voice may become indistinct with shallow breathing
  • ptosis
  • ataxia
  • respiratory paralysis
  • generalized flaccid paralysis. b) Hemotoxic syndrome- spontaneous systemic bleeding
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • abdominal tenderness suggestive of gastro-intestinal or retro-peritoneal bleed and/or renal damage
  • coagulopathy detected by 20 min WBCT with or without external bleeding
  • shock.

Precautions and warnings

**Be careful when treating people who are allergic to any ingredients in the product. Some doctors give patients a small dose of adrenaline (0.25 ml under the skin) beforehand to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. If the patient has a haemotoxic snake bite (which affects blood clotting), avoid giving injections into the muscle until their blood can clot normally. This helps prevent bruising and bleeding under the skin.**

**Do not inject the medicine directly into the area where the snake bit the person.**

**If the patient is using a tourniquet, release it slowly, but only after starting the antivenom treatment.**

Side-effects

  • a) The immediate reaction (shock & anaphylaxis) usually occurs within 30 minutes. Symptoms
  • signs may develop before the needle is withdrawn
  • include urticaria
  • itching
  • fever
  • chills or rigor
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • abdominal cramps
  • tachycardia
  • hypotension
  • bronchospasm
  • and angioedema. b) Serum sickness usually occurs 5 to 24 days after administration. The usual symptoms
  • signs are fever
  • urticaria
  • edema
  • nausea
  • vomiting. Occasionally neurological manifestations develop. Pain
  • muscle weakness are frequently present.

Drug Interactions

There is a higher chance of low blood sugar when this medicine is taken together with sulfonylureas or insulin.

Contraindications

There are no known reasons to avoid giving Antivenom. However, people who are known to be allergic to horse-derived serum should not receive it.

Mode of actions

In passive immunization, antivenoms are injected into the patient to help neutralize the snake venom in their blood.

Dosage & Administration

Initial dose depends upon an estimate of the amount of envenomation as mentioned below:
1. Minimal Envenomation -Progressive local swelling but no systemic symptoms. 5 vials (50ml) is recommended to be administered.
2. Moderate Envenomation -Swelling beyond the site of the bite, mild systemic symptoms, and/or hematologic and coagulation abnormalities are present. 5 to 10 vials (50 to 100ml) is recommended to be administered.
3. Severe Envenomation -Rapidly progressive and extensive local effects, systemic symptoms and evidence of hemolysis or coagulopathy. 10 to 20 vials (100 -200ml) or more is recommended to be administered.

In children and small adults (body weight less than 40kg) upto 50% more doses of Snake Venom Antiserum is recommended to be administered.

ADMINISTRATION:
Snake Venom Antiserum is administered intravenously either undiluted at the rate of not more than 1ml per minute or is diluted in 500ml of intravenous fluid (either Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection) and administered as rapidly as tolerated over 1-2 hours. While diluting the Snake Venom Antiserum, mix by gentle swirling rather than shaking to avoid foaming.
Additional infusions should be repeated hourly until progressive swelling in the bitten part ceases and systemic signs and symptoms disappear. When an adequate dosage is achieved, the improvement in patient's clinical signs are often seen.

Pregnancy & Lactation

FDA has not yet classified this medicine into a specified pregnancy category. Although there is no enough evidence that taking this medicine during you are pregnant is harmful.

Discuss with your doctor if you are trying to get pregnant while taking this medicine too.

If you do become pregnant while you are taking this medicine, you should continue to take it and contact with your doctors as quickly as possible. They can assist you to decide whether or not to keep taking this medicine. If you abandon taking this medicine and become sick, this would be more pernicious to your child than staying on the medication.


There is no specific information about whether this medicine is passed on to the baby through breast milk. During this medication, if your baby becomes very sleepy, restless, fatigued, exhibit feeding problems, stop breastfeeding and talk to your doctors very quickly.

Pack Size & Price

10ml vial Price : ৳1000

Similar medicine

Antivenom (Injection)

Manufactured by: Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Click here to see more similar medicines

There are few similar medicines of Antivenom are manufactured by other companies using the same ingredients. Although, it would be good if you are able to use the same medicine, which has been prescribed by your Doctor. Due to availability in the local market, you can try others. Please make sure and contact your Doctor first about alternatives.