Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
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To examine antivenom use, premedication, early adverse reactions and patient outcomes after snake bite in rural Papua New Guinea. ⋯ Polyvalent antivenom is the main treatment for envenomation in rural health centres, and early adverse reactions are common. Adrenaline premedication appears to significantly reduce acute adverse reaction rates. Premedication with promethazine and/or hydrocortisone without adrenaline did not reduce early adverse reactions.