Type of medicine: antivenin
Generic and brand names: crotalidae polyvalent immune FAB ovine; CroFab
This medicine is an antivenin given by injection (shot) to treat poisonous snakebites. The kinds of snakebites include rattlesnake, copperhead, and water moccasin.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Also tell your provider if you have ever been treated for snakebite before, or if you take aspirin or medicines to treat or prevent blood clots.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is given in the hospital by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). The number of infusions you will receive depends on your response. This treatment works best when started within 6 hours of the snakebite.
If you develop an allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing) while you are receiving the infusion, you will be treated immediately to stop the reaction. If you have a delayed allergic reaction after you leave the hospital, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.
Snakebites can cause bleeding problems. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have bruising, nosebleeds, excessive bleeding of your gums after brushing your teeth, blood in your urine or bowel movement, or heavy menstrual bleeding. The bleeding can occur for up to 1 week or longer after treatment with this medicine.
This medicine may cause serum sickness. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop a fever, rash, muscle or joint pain up to 24 days after treatment.
You will be watched closely for side effects during treatment with this medicine. Keep all follow-up appointments.
This medicine contains mercury that may cause nerve and kidney damage. Unborn babies and young children are most at risk of poisoning from mercury. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever; muscle or joint pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness or tiredness; dizziness; fainting spells; black or tarry stools; excessive menstrual bleeding; blood in urine.
Other: Nausea, back pain, chills, mild rash, mild itching.
No significant interactions have been reported.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
