Antivenom

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• QWhat should I know about antivenin before receiving it?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Before receiving antivenin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any medicine, any animals or animal serum, foods or other substances. Also, tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines, are breastfeeding or are following a special diet, such as a low-sodium diet. Your doctor will help you determine whether the benefits of taking this drug outweigh any risks.
  
  
• QWho should not receive antivenin?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Anyone who is allergic to antivenin or has allergies to animals or animal serum, may need to avoid it. Allergies to other medications, foods, dyes or preservatives may cause your doctor to avoid antivenin administration in you. Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or following a special diet in order to determine if the benefits of taking antivenin outweigh any risks.
  
  
• QWhat are the side effects of antivenin?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  You may not experience or notice any side effects from receiving antivenin because the effects of the bite are usually so severe. The most common side effects from this medicine are: hives; itchiness, particularly in the feet and hands; swelling of the face, eyes or inside the nose; fever; problems breathing; difficulty swallowing; redness of the skin, particularly the ears; and abnormal weakness or tiredness. A side effect called serum sickness occurs in some people who receive antivenin. It can take up to 24 days to develop serum sickness. Its severity and duration depend on the dose of antivenin you received and length of treatment. Contact your doctor if you notice the following signs of serum sickness: skin rash, itchiness, fever, redness around the joints and swollen glands.
  
  
• QWhat is antivenin?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Antivenin is a product containing antibodies to the toxins of poisonous spiders and snakes. There are several products to treat bites from these poisonous animals like black widow spider antivenin for that spider's bite; crotaline antivenin for the rattlesnake or pit viper snake bite; and coral snake antivenin for the that snake's bite (Texas coral snake, Eastern coral snake). Antivenin belongs to a group of medicines called antidotes. Antivenin is only given under the supervision of a doctor.
  
  
• QHow does antivenin interact with other medications or foods?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Although no interactions have been reported, some medicines or foods may interact with this drug. Before taking antivenin, tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines, vitamins, herbs or supplements. Also, tell your doctor if you are following a special diet. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine whether the benefits of taking antivenin outweigh any risks.
  
  
• QHow does CroFab interact with other medications?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  CroFab can interact with some medications. Larger doses of CroFab may be required in conjunction with epinephrine and other adrenergic agents. If you take beta blockers and you experience a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis while using CroFab, it may be more difficult to treat this reaction.
  
  
• QWhat is CroFab?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  CroFab is an antivenin for the treatment of venomous bites of following poisonous snakes: western diamondback rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Mojave rattlesnake, cottonmouth or water moccasin. CroFab (Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab) is administered intravenously by your healthcare provider. It is produced using sheep.
  
  
• QWhat should I know about CroFab before receiving it?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  If you have previously been bitten by a snake, your body may have produced antibodies to fight future bites. These antibodies can adversely interact with CroFab and cause a serious reaction. Tell your doctor if you have ever been treated for a snake bite before receiving CroFab. Antivenin is most effective when administered within four hours. Effectiveness after 12 hours is questionable.
  
  
• QWho should not take CroFab?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  CroFab is an antivenin treatment made from the blood of sheep. You should not use CroFab if you are allergic to its ingredients or sheep serum. If you have previously been bitten by a snake, your body may have produced antibodies to fight future bites. These antibodies can adversely interact with CroFab causing a serious reaction, and you may not be able to use CroFab.
  
  
• QWhat are the side effects of CroFab?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  A common side effect of CroFab is nausea, which does not require medical attention. You may also experience unusual bleeding or bruising. Talk to your doctor if this happens. If you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face and lips, hives and difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention. CroFab can cause both an immediate, severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis and a delayed reaction known as serum sickness that occurs days or weeks after use. It is possible CroFab may cause unexpected side effects that are not described above. If you experience an unanticipated reaction while using CroFab, talk to your doctor.