1290 Miscellaneous drug categories
Reactions may be
common
, uncommon,
life-threatening
, or
commonandlife-threatening.
• Monitor for delayed serum sickness
within 8–13 days after the administration
of antivenom, manifestedby albuminaemia,
arthralgia, fever, lymphadenopathy and skin
eruptions.
• Monitor the person closely after admin
istering antivenom.
Patient teaching
• Advise person of risk of possible infectious
disease transmission as venom is sourced
from horse serum.
• Instruct person to report any adverse
effects—such as shortness of breath,
itching, skin swelling, fever or chest pain—
immediately.
death adder antivenom
Death Adder Antivenom Concentrate
for Infusion
Pregnancy risk category NR
Use in sport: Permitted
Available form
Solution for infusion:
6000 U/vial
Indications & dosages
➤
Treatment of systemic envenoming from
deathadderbite—
Adults:
6000 U by slow IV infusion diluted
1 in 10 in Hartmann’s solution, repeated if
necessary. Individuals with severe systemic
envenoming may require several vials
of antivenom; use up to 5 vials has been
reported.
Children:
6000 Uby slow IV infusion diluted
1 in 5 in Hartmann’s solution, repeated if
necessary.
Action
Antivenom effective against venom of
death adder
(Acanthophis antarcticus
).
Route Onset
Peak
Duration
IV
Unknown Unknown Unknown
Adverse reactions
CNS:
headache.
GI:
abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea,
vomiting.
Skin:
injection site reaction, urticaria, rash.
Musculoskeletal:
chest pain, myalgia.
Other:
allergic reactions,
anaphylaxis
,
delayed serum sickness
, chills, pyrexia.
Interactions
None reported.
Contraindications
Should not be used unless there is evidence
of systemic envenoming with potential for
serious toxic effects.
care considerations
• Death adder venom contains neurotoxins
that induce paralysis.
• As product is sourced from horse plasma,
potential for transmission of infectious
disease cannot be ruled out.
• Not administered by IM injection.
• Venom detection kits should be used to
detect and identify specific venom at the
bite site or in urine where possible.
• Anaphylactic reactions may be more
likely in individuals who are atopic or have
previously received equine serum.
• Although considered controversial, indi
viduals at risk of anaphylactic reactions may
be givenpremedicationwith adrenaline and
antihistamine.
• Have adrenaline 1:1000 available in case
of anaphylactic reaction.
• Severe cases should be managed in
intensive care unit.
• Monitor for delayed serum sickness
within 8–13 days after the administration of
antivenom, manifested by albuminaemia,
arthralgia, fever, lymphadenopathy and skin
eruptions.
• Monitor the person closely after admin
istering antivenom.
