Snake Venom Anti Serum I.P.

Snake Venom Antiserum I.P.  is indicated only for the treatment of envenomation caused by bites of the snakes. It is manufactured by ‘Bharat Serum’ & ‘VINS’ in India. Snake Venom Antiserum (Polyvalent) is a refined and concentrated preparation of serum globulins  obtained by fractionating blood from healthy hyperimmunised horses each ml of which neutralises the  following quantities of standard venoms tested in mice by intravenous route.

Cobra (Naja naja)…………………………………………………….0.6 mg
Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)………………………..0.45 mg
Russell’s Viper (Vipera russelli)………………………………….0.6 mg
Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)…………………………..0.45 mg

Preservative : Cresol I.P. …………………………….. NMT 0.25% v/v

Manufacturer: Bharat Serum / VINS

CAUTION :
Snake bite may cause severe tissue damage or fatal envenomation or both. The physician responsible for  treatment of the envenomated patient should be familiar with the contents of this pack insert and the medical literature concerning current concepts of first aid and general supportive therapy.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION :
DOSAGE :
Initial dose depends upon an estimate of the amount of envenomation as mentioned below:
1. Minimal Envenomation – Progressive local swelling but no systemic symptoms. 5 vials (50ml) is
recommended to be administered.
2. Moderate Envenomation – Swelling beyond the site of the bite, mild systemic symptoms, and/or
hematologic and coagulation abnormalities are present. 5 to 10 vials (50 to 100ml) is recommended to be
administered.
3. Severe Envenomation – Rapidly progressive and extensive local effects, systemic symptoms and
evidence of hemolysis or coagulopathy. 10 to 20 vials (100 – 200ml) or more is recommended to be
administered.
In children and small adults (body weight less than 40kg) upto 50% more doses of Snake Venom
Antiserum is recommended to be administered.

ADMINISTRATION :
Snake Venom Antiserum is administered intravenously either undiluted at the rate of not more than 1ml per minute or is diluted in 500ml of intravenous fluid (either Sodium Chloride Injection or 5% Dextrose Injection) and administered as rapidly as tolerated over 1-2 hours. While diluting the Snake Venom Antiserum, mix by gentle swirling rather than shaking to avoid foaming. Additional infusions should be repeated hourly until progressive swelling in the bitten part ceases and
systemic signs and symptoms disappear. When an adequate dosage is achieved, the improvement in patient’s clinical signs are often seen.

IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO INJECT SNAKE VENOM ANTISERUM AT THE LOCAL SITE OF BITE