Adrenaline prevents acute adverse reactions to antivenom after snake bite

Snake bite is a cause of considerable morbidity and mortality in many countries. The only effective treatment is antivenom serum, but adverse reactions to the serum are common and include potentially fatal anaphylaxis. Premawardhena et al (p 1041) performed a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial among patients bitten by snakes in Sri Lanka. They found that low dose adrenaline, administered subcutaneously immediately before infusion with antivenom serum, resulted in a significant reduction in acute adverse reactions attributable to antivenom.

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Relevant Article

Low dose subcutaneous adrenaline to prevent acute adverse reactions to antivenom serum in people bitten by snakes: randomised, placebo controlled trial

A P Premawardhena, C E de Silva, M M D Fonseka, S B Gunatilake, and H J de Silva
BMJ 1999 318: 1041-1043. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]