Wyeth still making crotalidae polyvalent - Experts Forum at VenomousReptiles.org

RE: That's great....	Reply
by Rabies on March 4, 2005	Mail this to a friend!
CroFab during clinical trials was only tested for up to 18 vials, technicaly speaking a moderate envenomation. Anti venom is not purely there for severe life threatening situations, there is also the otherside, morbidity. Copperheads are renowned for local reactions during envenomation ie swelling. If the finger is involved with the bite this could cause secondary complications ie compartmental syndrome which can be reverted/prevented with antivenom administration. John

RE: That's great....	Reply
by Phobos on March 4, 2005	Mail this to a friend!
Well said Matt! John, Good points, yes they thought it would help with this syndrome, however, the clinical data presented by a half dozen Physicians at the Biology of Rattlesnakes Symposium did not support this goal. These Physician included ones involved with the development of CroFab. They are clearly not happy with it's clinical performance. Many told me they would rather treat patients with Wyeth Crotalid or Bioclon's Antivipmyn A/V and deal with the serum reaction. I just met someone at this past "Hamburg Show" who was bitten in the thumb by a captive Copperhead he was "freehandling" and treated with CroFab. He had more problems with the serum than the bite and still has a lasting orthopaedic deficit from the bite. Al

RE: That's great....	Reply
by Rabies on March 4, 2005	Mail this to a friend!
Hi Al I'd be interested in any data/info that you may have with ref CroFab and copperheads. When you think that its made from only 4 US venomous snakes, its bound to have its down falls along the way. How many rattlers are there in the USA/Canada? Sp+Sub sp 35+? When you think about it, if you where to get bitten by one thats not covered in the production line, your getting diluted anti bodies in off chance that some will irradicate the venom thats circulating inside you. Has Bioclon's Antivipmyn been accepted for use in the USA for treatment or is it still under going scrutiny? Thanks John

RE: That's great....	Reply
by Rabies on March 4, 2005	Mail this to a friend!
I forgot to ask, what reactions are being reported from CroFab,"He had more problems with the serum " Thanks John

RE: That's great....	Reply
by Phobos on March 4, 2005	Mail this to a friend!
I have the references on my desk at home, I'm at a medical conference in Atlanta at the moment. Here is the CroFab perscribing information. http://www.savagelabs.com/images/462531_R1200_CroFab_PI.pdf It's table #2 that has the Doc's scratching their heads. Take note of the ED50 values for Helleri, that's why it takes "Tons" to effect a bite by this snake. What is really confusing them is the value for the Agkistrodon contortrix; a value of 4 should work very well against the bite of a Copperhead but not "in vivo" really. I would really like to find a hard copy of the the same info for Wyeth Crotalid A/V, this was we could really get a better idea of their relative efficacy. The Mexican product has to be imported as an "Experimental Drug" when/if it will get FDA approval who knows but Dr. Boyer is persistent and a very respected Medical Toxicologist. If anyone can do it, she can. As for the exact number of Rattlesnakes..I have no clue off hand...see this part of this site to get an idea: http://www.venomousreptiles.org/pages/rattlesnake I'll send the other links to the papers/info you requested on Sunday. Cheers! Al

RE: That's great....	Reply
by Phobos on March 4, 2005	Mail this to a friend!
John: Check your email that's listed in your profile for the Copperhead paper. I found the abstract on line and sent it on to you directly. Yikes! I better watch out!! I might be accused of stealing again! Cheers! Al

RE: That's great....	Reply
by sceniccityreptiles on March 4, 2005	Mail this to a friend!
After the introduction of CroFab Wyeth scaled back production to the minimum. They are producing just enough to maintain the federal license to do so. CroFab was allowed onto the market before enough testing was done. Wyeth suspects problems to arise with CroFab and wants to be in position to begin mass production at short notice.

RE: That's great....	Reply
by Phobos on March 5, 2005	Mail this to a friend!
Good point Chuck! You may have hit the nail on the head. I never thought of that twist but make good sense. Al

Previous Page 2 of 2

Next Topic: feeding snakes live
Previous Topic: Rattlesnake Recipies

Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.

Check our help page for help using , or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the Manager.