Here are five things to know about CroFab.
1. In the U.S., 98 percent of reported snake bites are attributable to crotaline snakes or pit vipers — i.e. rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths. The primary pit viper anti-venom distributed in the U.S. for more than a decade has been CroFab.
2. CroFab is manufactured using venom from four types of North American pit vipers — Mojave rattlesnake, eastern rattlesnake, western rattlesnake and the cottonmouth or water moccasin.
3. Data on the safety of CroFab has been collected since 2001. A recent meta-analysis indicated that the incidence of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to the anti-venom was 8 percent. Learn more about the safety of CroFab here.
4. Trials have shown CroFab to produce a 91 percent clinical response rate among those treated for minimal to moderate pit viper envenomation. Other studies have shown that even when treating severe envenomation, the treatment produces a clinical response 57 percent of the time.
5. It is recommended that CroFab be used within six hours of snakebite to prevent clinical deterioration and the occurrence of systemic coagulation abnormalities.
More articles on infection control:
Serious infection risk is minimal with robotic prosthetic limb, study finds
HIV testing rates fall short outside major cities, study finds
Americans underestimate threat of antibiotic resistance: 3 survey findings
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
