• Indika Bandara Gawarammana, S Abeysingha M Kularatne, Wasantha P Dissanayake, Ranjith P V Kumarasiri, Nimal Senanayake, and H Ariyasena.
• Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya University, Sri Lanka.
• Med. J. Aust. 2004 Jan 5; 180 (1): 20-3.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of continuous infusion of hydrocortisone with or without chlorpheniramine bolus against early adverse reactions to polyspecific antivenom.Design And SettingProspective, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at General Hospital, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.Subjects52 patients with snake envenoming were randomised to receive infusion of hydrocortisone (Group A), hydrocortisone with chlorpheniramine bolus (Group B) or placebo (Group C) during the administration of antivenom.InterventionHydrocortisone 1000 mg in 300 mL of normal saline infusion was started 5 min before and continued for 30 min after antivenom. Chlorpheniramine 10 mg intravenous bolus dose was given 5 min after commencement of antivenom.Main Outcome MeasuresOccurrence and severity of adverse reactions to antivenom.ResultsAdverse reactions were observed in 80% (12/15) of Group A, 52% (11/21) of Group B, and 81% (13/16) of Group C. Reactions were mild or moderate except in two patients. A significant reduction in the number of adverse reactions was seen in Group B compared with the placebo group (difference, 29 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.2 to 58 percentage points). There was no significant difference between Group A and the placebo group.ConclusionProphylaxis with a parallel hydrocortisone infusion alone is ineffective in reducing the occurrence of acute adverse reaction to antivenom serum, but combining it with chlorpheniramine seems efficacious.

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