The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Original Article

Adverse Events in the Efficacy of Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab Antivenom vs Placebo in Recovery from Copperhead Snakebite Trial

Authors: Michael E. Mullins, MD, Charles J. Gerardo, MD, Sean P. Bush, MD, S. Rutherfoord Rose, PharmD, Spencer Greene, MD, Eugenia B. Quackenbush, MD, Brandon Lewis, DO, Victoria E. Anderson, MPH, Kurt C. Kleinschmidt, MD, Richard B. Schwarz, MD, Nathan P. Charlton, MD, Eric A. Toschlog, MD, Kapil Sharma, MD, David A. Denning, MD, Eric J. Lavonas, MD

Abstract

Objective: To compare the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions following copperhead envenomation treated with Fab antivenom (FabAV) or placebo.

Methods: Patients with copperhead snakebites received treatment and follow-up in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of FabAV or placebo. The treatment allocation ratio was 2:1 (FabAV:placebo). All of the included patients received at least one dose of study treatment. We reviewed all treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) using a previously published scale to classify likely hypersensitivity reactions as mild, moderate, or severe.

Results: We enrolled 74 patients at 13 sites. Forty-five patients received FabAV, and 29 patients received placebo. Five FabAV patients and 4 placebo patients had moderate envenomations; the rest were mild. Twenty-five FabAV patients and 8 placebo patients had at least 1 AE. Mild skin reactions occurred in 11 (24%) FabAV patients (pruritis, urticaria, rash, ecchymosis, erythema) and 1 (3%) placebo patient (pruritis). Moderate gastrointestinal AEs occurred in 7 (16%) FabAV patients (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, oral paresthesia) and in 2 (7%) placebo patients (nausea). Respiratory AEs occurred in 3 (7%) FabAV patients (dyspnea, pulmonary embolism, nasal congestion, sneezing) and no placebo patients. Hypotension occurred in 1 patient in each group.

Conclusions: In a randomized controlled trial of FabAV for copperhead bites, the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions was low. Most reactions were mild skin reactions.

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