Effectiveness of Snake Antivenom: Species and Regional Venom Variation and Its Clinical Impact

These are the 7 snake antivenoms commercially available in Australia: Tiger snake, Brown snake, Taipan, Black snake, Death adder, Sea snakes and Polyvalent snake antivenom. Administration of some of these antivenoms for other snake bites can sometimes help control envenomation in the patient.

Identification of the offending snake will aid in the choice of the appropriate antivenom and alert clinicians to particular features characteristic of envenomation by that type of snake. In cases of snakebite involving zoo staff, herpetologists or other experienced snake handlers, the snake’s identity may be known (although this cannot always be relied upon, particularly in the case of enthusiastic amateurs). Identification of snakes by the general public or by hospital staff is frequently unreliable. Sometimes, the snake is not seen or is only glimpsed in retreat.