Snake Bite FAQ

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The definitive care in the hospital will be I.V. administration of antivenin. The number of vials of antivenin administered will depend on the severity of the envenomation. Snakebite patients who were not envenomated or who were bitten by a copperhead may not receive antivenin.

There are two antivenins in common use in the United States. Both are manufactured by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories and are created by injecting venom into horses, and then collecting the resulting immune serum.

Antivenin (Crotalidae) Polyvalent is developed by injecting a mixture of the venoms of eastern diamondback, western diamondback, cascabel (tropical rattlesnake), and fer-de-lance into horses. This antivenin is used for treating the effects of bites from crotalids native to North, Central, and South America, as well as Japan and Korea.

Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius) is developed by injecting the venom of the eastern coral snake into horses. It is used for treating the bites of both eastern and Arizona coral snakes.

There is a potential for a dangerous reaction to antivenin in patients who have an allergy to horses or horse serum. For this reason antivenin is only administered in a hospital, and the physician makes every effort to rule out allergy before he administers the antivenin. The adverse consequences of antivenin administration in patients allergic to horses include shock, anaphylaxis, and serum sickness.

If your physician desires more information on the two antivenins used for the treatment of North American snakebites, he can contact the manufacturer:

Professional Services
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories
PO Box 8299
Philadelphia, PA 19101
(610) 688-4400, or
(800) 950-5099

Also while in the hospital, the bite wound will be cleaned, and the patient will subjected a battery of laboratory tests. Any of a variety of drugs and I.V. fluids may be administered including D5W, saline, plasma, blood products, antiphylaxis agents, sedatives, analgesics, and antibiotics.

The patient may receive a tetanus booster. Continuing wound care will include cleansing, and may include surgical treatment of the wound area. If movement or strength of an extremity is compromised, patients may receive physical therapy.