Antivenom dosing
All snake antivenoms contain equine proteins and have a risk of anaphylaxis; therefore, always administer antivenom in a resuscitation area or critical care unit with readily available adrenaline (epinephrine) and resuscitation equipment. See Antivenom adverse reactions regarding the risk of hypersensitivity reactions and treatment.
If antivenom is required and there are no indications for using polyvalent antivenom (see Choosing which antivenom to administer), for most unidentified snake envenomings in adults and children, use:
tiger snake antivenom 1 vial and brown snake antivenom 1 vial together, diluted 1:10 in sodium chloride 0.9% or compound sodium lactate (Hartmann) solution, intravenously over 15 minutes. If the patient is at risk of fluid overload (eg young child), dilute antivenom 1:5.
If a single vial of tiger snake antivenom is indicated (see Choosing which antivenom to administer), for adults and children, use:
tiger snake antivenom 1 vial, diluted 1:10 in sodium chloride 0.9% or compound sodium lactate (Hartmann) solution, intravenously over 15 minutes. If the patient is at risk of fluid overload (eg young child), dilute antivenom 1:5. snake bite
If a single vial of brown snake antivenom is indicated (see Choosing which antivenom to administer), for adults and children, use:
brown snake antivenom 1 vial, diluted 1:10 in sodium chloride 0.9% or compound sodium lactate (Hartmann) solution, intravenously over 15 minutes. If the patient is at risk of fluid overload (eg young child), dilute antivenom 1:5. snake bite
If antivenom is required and polyvalent antivenom is indicated (see Choosing which antivenom to administer), for adults and children, use:
polyvalent snake antivenom 1 vial, diluted 1:10 in sodium chloride 0.9% or compound sodium lactate (Hartmann) solution, intravenously over 15 minutes. If the patient is at risk of fluid overload (eg young child), dilute antivenom 1:5. snake bite