- Snake bite:
- Administer initial dose of 5-10 vials by slow IV infusion either undiluted at a speed of not more than 2mL/min OR after dilution with normal /glucose saline at a rate of 5-10mL/kg body weight over 1 hour
- Can be administered with 1ml of 1:1000 IM adrenaline at the same time to reduce risk of anaphylaxis
Injection: LD50 per 10 ml
- To reconstitute, transfer content of supplied diluents into the vial containing lyophilized preparation
- Mix the contents gently by swirling action and avoid vigorous shaking
- Serum should be used as soon as possible after reconstitution
- Can be given as a rapid IV push if the patient is haemodynamically unstable or in cardiac arrest
- IM is not ideal and not generally recommended as absorption is very slow and there is a risk of hematoma formation in patients with incoagulable blood
Complex mixtures of enzymatic proteins and different toxins
They may contain agents that prevent or promote blood clotting.
- Hypersensitivity to components
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Local injection site reaction
- Myalgia
- Headache
- Increased risk of anaphylaxis in patients previously treated with antivenom or those who are suspected of equine sera allergy
- NSAIDs
Drug Status
| Availability | Prescription only |
| Pregnancy | Benefit outweighs risk |
| Breastfeeding | Weigh risk vs benefit |
| Schedule | Not controlled |
| BRAND NAME | STRENGTH | FORMULATION | PACK SIZE | MANUFACTURER | DISTRIBUTOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afriven | LD50 per 10mL | Injection | 10mL | Vins Bioproducts | Phillips Therapeutics |
| Inoserp | LD50 per 10mL | Injection | 10mL | Inosan Biopharma | Laborex Kenya |
| Panaf-Premium | LD50 per 10mL | Injection | 20mL | Premium Serums | Nairobi Enterprises |