How are pit viper and elapid bites treated?
There is a significant difference between the venom from North American crotalid snakes and coral snakes, as well as the antivenom products used to treat each of these. Venom from a North American crotalid is hemotoxic, attacking the tissue and blood, while elapid (Coral snake) venom is neurotoxic, damaging or destroying the nerve tissue. CroFab Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) is the only FDA approved antivenom available in the US to treat mild or moderate North American pit viper envenomation (see complete CroFab indication and safety information at the bottom of this page). It works by binding and neutralizing the North American crotalid venom toxins. It is not indicated to treat coral snakebite. Coral snake antivenom is no longer manufactured and there is a limited supply available.