PRE-TREATMENT WITH LOW DOSE SUBCUTANEOUS ADRENALINE TO PREVENT ADVERSE REACTIONS TO ANTI SNAKE VENOM FOLLOWING SNAKE BITE

Aim and objective : To assess the efcacy of low dose subcutaneous adrenaline to prevent adverse reactions to Anti Snake Venom (ASV) in hospitalised patients following snake bite. Hospital Methods : ised patients following snake bite requiring ASV were randomised to receive either 0.25ml 1:1000 dilutions adrenaline subcutaneously or placebo as pre-treatment before ASV administration. Pregnants, age less than 12 years and more than 70 years, patients who received ASV in the past, history of adverse reactions to adrenaline, patients with obstructive airway disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke and patients who received ASV before hospital admission were excluded from the study. Results : 50 patients were included in the study. 26 patients received low dose subcutaneous adrenaline and 24 patients received placebo. 3 patients(11%) in adrenaline group and 13 patients(54%) in placebo group developed adverse reactions following ASV administration. Conclusion : 0.25ml 1:1000 dilutions subcutaneous adrenaline given immediately before ASV administration reduces incidence of adverse reactions to ASV