What is an Antivenom?
Antivenom, also known as antivenin, venom antiserum, and antivenom immunoglobulin, is a specific treatment for envenomation.
It is composed of antibodies and used to treat certain venomous bites and stings.
Where Can I Buy Antivenom In South Africa
How much does antivenom cost in South Africa?
Monovalent Boomslang antivenom costs R6,800.00 per vial while polyvalent antivenom costs R2,130.00 per vial.
About 10% of snakebite victims who are hospitalized require and are treated with antivenom. The majority of patients have mild symptoms that do not warrant the administration of antivenom.
What is the best way to use antivenom?
Antivenom should be diluted in an appropriate volume of fluid and given by “push” injection over 10 to 15 minutes or by intravenous (IV) infusion over 30 to 60 minutes.
Epinephrine must be ready to be given in case of early anaphylactic reactions during the infusion.
Who can not use antivenom?
The use of antivenom is not free of adverse reactions (Gold et al., 2002; Lavonas et al., 2009).
Therefore, it should not be routinely given to all snake bite victims, but only to those who develop local, systemic, or laboratory evidence of envenoming.
How long does antivenom take to work?
Response to antivenom is dramatic and rapid. Neurotoxic signs may improve within 30 minutes but usually take several hours.
Spontaneous systemic bleeding usually stops within 15 – 30 minutes and blood coagulability is restored within 6 hours of antivenom provided a neutralizing dose has been given.