Antivenin (crotalidae) Polyvalent Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 7, 2024.

Applies to antivenin (crotalidae) polyvalent: intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

Your doctor will check your or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and does not cause any unwanted effect. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child has a rash, itching, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, joint or muscle pain, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you get the injection.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has muscle or joint pain, fever, itching, or rash after receiving this medicine. These can be signs and symptoms of a delayed allergic reaction called serum sickness.

This medicine is made from horse plasma. Some horse blood products have transmitted viruses to people who have received them, although the risk is low. Talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms that concern you.

Tell your doctor right away if you or your child has unusual bleeding or bruising, blood in the urine or stool, heavy menstrual bleeding, or nosebleeds after receiving this medicine.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, antivenin (crotalidae) polyvalent may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking antivenin (crotalidae) polyvalent:

Other side effects

Some side effects of antivenin (crotalidae) polyvalent may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to antivenin (crotalidae) polyvalent: injectable solution, intravenous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were urticaria and rash.

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Urticaria (16%), rash (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, cellulitis, subcutaneous nodule, ecchymosis
• Postmarketing reports: Erythema, hyperhidrosis, angioedema

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction, serum sickness
• Postmarketing reports: Acute allergic reactions including anaphylaxis or anaphylactoid reactions, delayed allergic reaction.^[Ref]

Allergic reaction consisted of urticaria, dyspnea, and wheezing. Serum sickness included urticaria, cough, rash, pruritus, and urticaria. Acute allergic reactions manifested as anxiety, bronchospasm, chills, edema, fever, hypotension, pruritus, rash, urticaria, voice alteration, and/or wheezing.^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Coagulation disorder
• Postmarketing reports: Delayed or recurrent coagulopathy or thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia refractory to treatment, bleeding

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension
• Postmarketing reports: Tachycardia

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): General paresthesia, nervousness
• Postmarketing reports: Tremor, dizziness, headache^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthma, cough, increased sputum
• Postmarketing reports: Tachypnea, bronchospasm, wheezing, tracheal edema, dyspnea

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, myalgia
• Postmarketing reports: Musculoskeletal chest pain, chills

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, anorexia, circumoral paresthesia
• Postmarketing reports: Tongue swelling, lip swelling

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, wound infection, chills
• Postmarketing reports: Failure to achieve initial control, recurrent swelling refractory to treatment, prolonged hospitalization, treatment failure resulting in death, chest discomfort, swelling

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Nervousness

Ocular

• Postmarketing reports: Worsening eye sight

See also:

Further information

Antivenin (crotalidae) polyvalent side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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