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What are the sign allergic reaction to antivenom
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by Kingetula on September 17, 2007
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What are the signs and or symptoms of an allergic reaction to antivenom?
I did a search here for "allergic reaction to antivenom" but nothing came back.
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RE: What are the sign allergic reaction to antiven
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by Kingetula on September 17, 2007
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My next question would be what is the treatment if you are allergic? Is there a plan B and does your chance of survival go down?
So if you are allergic can I get the FAQ about what happens when you are bit again later in life? I’ve heard different things over the years and would like to know once and for all the truth.
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RE: What are the sign allergic reaction to antiven
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by Chris_Harper on September 17, 2007
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Allergic reaction symptoms may vary from minor with itching around the IV site, or itchy welts on the body, to severe which include difficulty breathing, and a rapid and dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Treatment for allergic reactions or anaphylaxis include: epinephrine administered either subcutaneously, intramuscularly (typically not in the US though), and intravenously; then Benadryl intravenously, followed by a corticosteroid like solumedrol, decadron or hydrocortisone adminstered intravenonously.
It depends on where you are in the US or the world as to what exactly you will get though. In Sri Lanka, they administered epinephrine, phenergan and hydrocortisone.
Recently, I had a patient that had an allergic reaction to some medicine. Her tongue swelled up and completely blocked her mouth, but she could still breathe through her nose with ease. I gave her epi,benadryl and solumedrol then stood by waiting to perform a cricothyrotomy if her sinuses or throat closed off. Fortunately, that didn't happen. But it did take her tongue at least an hour to begin to shrink.
I was once administering the Wyeth ACP to a copperhead bite victim. His blood pressure plummeted from about 120 to 60 within 3 minutes of adminstration. That was his only symptom, but is clearly a case of anaphylaxis. We discontinued the antivenom, and gave him the epi/ben/sol combo IV. After that, the care for his bite was only supportive - IV fluids and pain meds.
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RE: What are the sign allergic reaction to antiven
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by Chris_Harper on September 17, 2007
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Later in life, you may or may not:
A. have an allergic reaction directly from a snakebite
or
B. have an allergic reaction due to antivenom adminstration
HOWEVER, allergic reactions have been reduced to almost nil with the newer Fab and Fab2 fragment antivenoms produced by Protherics and also by Instituto Bioclon.
CH
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RE: What are the sign allergic reaction to antiven
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by Kingetula on September 17, 2007
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Are there any known health issues with the newer antivenom? If someone has been given the old antivenom in the past I'm guess it's ok to use the newer fab and fab2 on that patient if bitten again?
Is the newer fab and fab2 more expensive or is it cheaper to make?
Scott
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RE: What are the sign allergic reaction to antiven
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by Chris_Harper on September 19, 2007
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Side effects are minimal. Currently, the only approved antivenom in the US is CroFab, which will vary in cost from 1200 to even 4000 dollars a vial. It depends on which hospital you are treated at. There are a lot of variations in cost. The Instituto Bioclon Antivenoms, which are currently undergoing trials in the US, are a lot less and work very well.
CH
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