Table 4.
Features and Treatments of Early Reactions After Administration of Antivenoms
| Features of Early Reactions to AV | No. of Cases (% of Total 180 Cases That Received AV) | No. of Courses (% of Total 285 Courses of AV) |
|---|---|---|
| Cutaneous | ||
| Urticaria | 30 (16.7) | 31 (10.9) |
| Pruritus | 6 (3.3) | 6 (2.1) |
| Angioedema | 5 (2.8) | 5 (1.7) |
| Gastrointestinal | ||
| Nausea and vomiting | 2 (1.1) | 2 (0.7) |
| Respiratory | ||
| Chest tightness | 17 (9.4) | 17 (5.9) |
| Wheezing | 4 (2.2) | 4 (1.4) |
| Hypoxemia | 4 (2.2) | 5 (1.7) |
| Dyspnea | 2 (1.1) | 2 (0.7) |
| Cardiovascular | ||
| Tachycardia | 7 (3.9) | 7 (2.4) |
| Hypotension | 4 (2.2) | 4 (1.4) |
| Syncope | 1 (0.6) | 1 (0.3) |
| Others | ||
| Fever with chill | 3 (1.7) | 3 (1.1) |
| Drowsy | 1 (0.6) | 1 (0.3) |
| Treatments | ||
| Adrenaline | 14 (7.8) | 14 (4.9) |
| Dexamethasone IV | 16 (8.9) | 16 (5.6) |
| Chlorpheniramine IV | 31 (17.2) | 31 (10.9) |
| Ranitidine IV | 6 (3.3) | 6 (2.1) |
| Hydrocortisone IV | 4 (2.2) | 4 (1.4) |
| Meperidine IV | 1 (0.6) | 1 (0.3) |
Abbreviations: AV, antivenom; IV, intravenous.