🐍💉 Snake Venom Antiserum (Lyophilized, Polyvalent) – As Licensed
📌 Description:
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) polyvalent snake antivenom is a sterile biological product prepared from equine (horse) serum. It contains specific immunoglobulins capable of neutralizing venom from multiple venomous snake species commonly found in the region (e.g., cobra, krait, Russell’s viper, saw-scaled viper in India).
- Form: Freeze-dried powder that must be reconstituted with sterile water before IV use.
- Type: Polyvalent – covers multiple snake venoms.
📜 Prescription:
- Prescription-only.
- Administered intravenously by trained medical personnel.
- Dosage is determined by:
- Type/severity of envenomation.
- Species (if known).
- Clinical symptoms (e.g., neurotoxicity, coagulopathy).
- Repeated doses may be needed in severe cases.
🌿 Nature:
- Lyophilized biological product.
- Derived from equine serum.
- Intended for systemic envenomation by multiple types of snakes.
- Requires reconstitution before use.
✅ Advantages:
- Longer shelf life than liquid forms.
- Stable at higher temperatures, ideal for rural storage.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Neutralizes effects of venom, improving survival in severe bites.
- May reduce risk of severe neurotoxicity, hemorrhage, or kidney failure.
⚠️ Precautions:
- Perform sensitivity testing prior to administration due to risk of anaphylaxis or serum sickness.
- Keep emergency resuscitation equipment ready.
- Use caution in:
- Individuals with asthma, known allergies, or prior antiserum exposure.
- Pregnant women (risk-benefit assessment required).
- Monitor closely for:
- Fever, chills, rash (serum sickness).
- Anaphylaxis (rapid onset wheezing, hypotension, shock).
🧊 Storage:
- Store in cool, dry place at 2–8°C.
- Stable at ambient temperatures for some time due to lyophilization.
- Protect from light and moisture.
- Reconstituted solution should be used immediately or as per manufacturer guidelines.
- Do not freeze.
📦 Common Packaging:
- Glass vials containing freeze-dried powder.
- Usually packed with a separate ampoule of sterile water for injection (for reconstitution).
- Available in 10 mL or 20 mL capacity per vial.
- Labeled with species coverage, batch number, and expiry date.
👨⚕️ Patient Advice
- This injection helps neutralize snake venom and prevent complications.
- It is given through a vein (IV) by doctors in a hospital.
- You will be tested for allergy to the antiserum first.
- Inform the doctor of any history of allergies, asthma, or previous antiserum use.
- After injection, you’ll be observed for allergic reactions.
- Let medical staff know if you feel itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
- You may receive other supportive medicines like steroids or antihistamines along with this.
- Remain in the hospital for monitoring for at least 24 hours after the bite.