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Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common- Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
- Hives
- Itching, especially of feet or hands
- Reddening of skin, especially around ears
- Swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose
- Unusual tiredness or weakness (sudden and severe)
For up to 24 days after you have received pit viper antivenin, you may develop symptoms of a side effect called serum sickness. The severity of the symptoms and the length of the sickness depend on the amount of pit viper antivenin you were given and how long the treatment lasted. During the 24 days after treatment with pit viper antivenin, check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Rash and itching
- Swollen lymph glands
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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