Antivenin, Pit Viper Sheep-derived (Systemic)
Brand Names : CroFab, Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine)
Before Receiving This MedicineIn 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
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