title: Safety of i.v. administration of redback spider antivenom.
abstract: It is unclear what the risk of allergic reactions is with appropriately given dilute i.v. redback spider antivenom (RBSAV). Ninety-five i.v. administrations of RBSAV referred from January 2001 to November 2006 were reviewed. All patients had local pain, 72% radiating pain, 57% diaphoresis and 39% systemic effects. Four patients (4%) had immediate systemic hypersensitivity reactions: none were severe, one was moderate and three mild. In 32 patients followed up for 2 weeks, three (10%) developed serum sickness. RBSAV given i.v. had a low reaction rate.
authors.affiliation: Tropical Toxinology Unit, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. geoffrey.isbister@menzies.edu.au
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Isbister
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000997:Antivenins; D013111:Spider Venoms