Taipan

Consumer Medicine Information

It is made by immunising horses 5. you are pregnant or you are What is in this leaflet against the venom of the taipan breast feeding. and then collecting that part of the Your doctor can discuss with you the This leaflet answers some common horse’s which neutralises this risks and benefits involved. questions about Taipan Antivenom. poison. If you have not told your doctor It does not contain all the available The antivenom is purified and made about any of the above, tell information. It does not take the into an injection for people who may him/her before you are given place of talking to your doctor or need it after being bitten by a taipan Taipan Antivenom. pharmacist. Ask your doctor if you have any All medicines have risks and questions about why this medicine benefits. Your doctor has weighed has been given to you. the risks of you having Taipan Antivenom against the benefits they How Taipan expect it will have. Antivenom is given

If you have any concerns about this Before you are given How much is given medicine, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Taipan Antivenom The dose for both adults and children is one vial (12,000 units). The dose Keep this leaflet. When you must not be can be repeated as necessary. You may need to read it again. given it Your doctor will take precautions to As there are sometimes unpleasant counteract any allergic reactions if and dangerous reactions to the they should happen. What Taipan antivenom (see Side Effects), it should not be given to people who How it is given Antivenom is used for have no effects from the bite. This medicine is diluted and given However as Taipan Antivenom can slowly as a drip into a vein. What it is used for be an emergency life-saving product,

it should not be withheld from Taipan Antivenom is given to those Once diluted Taipan Antivenom anyone who needs it. people who become ill after being should be used immediately. Diluted bitten by a taipan. antivenom should not be stored. Before you are given it Not everyone who is bitten needs the Taipan Antivenom does not contain antivenom as some people have only Tell your doctor if: any antimicrobial preservative. It very mild effects from the bite or none 1. you have allergies to: should be used once and any residue at all. However, some people can • any other medicines discarded. become very ill after being bitten and • any other substances such as in these people it is essential to use an foods, preservatives or dyes. appropriate amount of antivenom to counteract the effects of the poison. 2. you have, or have had any medical conditions, especially the After having Taipan How it works following: Antivenom • asthma Taipan Antivenom is an injection • hayfever. When medicines are produced in designed to help neutralise the effect and injected into you, it is of the poison (venom) of the taipan. 3. you have ever received injections always possible that viruses or other The taipan is one of the most containing horse serum (snake bite substances could be present in the poisonous in the world. and other ). medicine and cause an illness. These could be viruses or other infectious 4. you had an anti-tetanus injection agents which may not yet have been before 1974. TAIPAN ANTIVENOM Consumer Medicine Information Page 1 of 2

discovered. In the past, there have or other parts of the body, been no reports of this ever having shortness of breath, wheezing or happened with this product. trouble breathing • rapid, shallow breathing, cold, If you have any queries about any clammy skin, a rapid, weak pulse, Product description aspect of this medicine, or dizziness, weakness and fainting questions regarding information in • pinkish, itchy swellings on the this leaflet, discuss them with your skin, also called hives or nettle What it looks like doctor or pharmacist. rash Taipan Antivenom is supplied in a • fever, swelling, skin rash, joint vial. pains and swelling of the glands in the neck armpit or groin, anytime up to two weeks after the Ingredients Side effects injection • chest pain Active ingredient: Tell your doctor or pharmacist as • high temperature. soon as possible if you do not feel • 12,000 units of Taipan well after having Taipan These may be serious side effects. Antivenom. Antivenom. You may need urgent medical It may have unwanted side effects in attention. Other ingredients: some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they Tell your doctor or pharmacist if • sodium chloride are serious, most of the time they are you notice anything that is making • phenol not. You may need medical treatment you feel unwell. • water for injections. if you get some of the side effects. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people. This product also contains substances As the injection is made from horse from horse blood. serum, side effects occur most Do not be alarmed by this list of commonly in those who have possible side effects. Taipan Antivenom and allergies, particularly if they have You may not experience any of them. its packaging components do not ever had injections before which were contain natural rubber latex. also prepared from horses. Allergic reactions can be treated by your Name and Address of doctor. Storing Taipan Sponsor Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you have. Antivenom Taipan Antivenom is sponsored by:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if Taipan Antivenom is usually stored Seqirus Pty Ltd, you notice any of the following and in a doctor’s surgery, hospital or ABN 26 160 735 035 they worry you: ambulance. However, if you need to 63 Poplar Road • local reaction around the injection store it: Parkville 3052 site such as redness, itchiness, Victoria tenderness, pain or discomfort, • Keep it where children cannot warmth, burning or stinging, reach it. swelling or the formation of hard The Australian Registration Number lumps or scars • Keep it in the original pack is AUST R 74898.

• chills until it is needed. This leaflet was prepared in • aching muscles, muscle November 2019. tenderness or weakness, not • Keep it in the refrigerator, caused by exercise between 2°C and 8°C and • stomach pain or discomfort protect it from light. Do not • headache freeze Taipan Antivenom. • nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Do not use Taipan Antivenom after These side effects are usually mild. the expiry date printed on the pack. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following: Do not use Taipan Antivenom if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. • sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue TAIPAN ANTIVENOM Consumer Medicine Information Page 2 of 2