Antivenin, Pit Viper Sheep-derived (Systemic)

Brand Names : CroFab, Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine)

Before Receiving This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pit viper antivenin, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever been bitten by a poisonous snake before and if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pit viper antivenin, chymopapain, papain, or sheep or any products of sheep origin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to dust mites, foods (especially papaya or pineapple), latex, or any other substances.

Pregnancy - Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether pit viper antivenin passes into breast milk.

Children - Although there is no specific information comparing use of pit viper antivenin in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of pit viper antivenin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pit viper antivenin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Snake bite, previous - During previous treatment, your body may have developed antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system that help the body fight infection and are involved in allergic reactions), which may cause a serious reaction with current treatment