Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0495
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0495
+44 1478 350008
Review Article
Antivenoms in Snake Envenoming: Are they Safe?
Author(s): Deshpande Rushikesh Prabhakar, Motghare Vijay Motiram and Bhamare Chetanran GhanshyamDeshpande Rushikesh Prabhakar, Motghare Vijay Motiram and Bhamare Chetanran Ghanshyam
Snake antivenoms are the only definitive management of snake envenoming. Parenteral administration of antivenom mitigates the toxic effects due to snake venom components. However, these benefits come with additional risk of antivenom reactions. The morbidity and mortality of antivenom reactions largely go unnoticed due to lack of awareness and many times these are wrongly attributed to effects of snake venoms. Depending upon the duration between antivenom administration and onset of clinical manifestations, World Health Organization (WHO) has classified these reactions into three types; namely i) early anaphylactic reactions: occur within 10-180 minutes after antivenom infusion, ii) pyrogenic (endotoxic) reactions: develop within 1-2 hours after initiation of treatment, and iii) late reactions: usually develop 1-12 (mean 7) days after treatment. The conjunctival or skin hypersensitivi.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2161-0495.1000184