Botulism Antitoxin

Botulism Antitoxin, also known and sold under the trade name of Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent ABCDEFG Equine, is used in the treatment of symptoms of botulism, a disease which is caused after an exposure to botulinum toxin. 

Botulism is a serious disease which causes paralysis of the muscles. This medication is available in the form of a solution.

Before the decision to start the treatment with this medication is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as, about the potential side effects and risks. For this decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. 

This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make. During the consultations, it is important to inform the doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific type of food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within pediatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within pediatric patients. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Geriatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within geriatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within geriatric patients. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. It is unknown how this medication would affect the fetus. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Breastfeeding – Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. It is unknown if it is extracted in the milk, or how would it affect the infant. This medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur. However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of a combination, including two or more medications, to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.
• Other interactions – Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific type of food, tobacco and alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet, and discontinue your use of tobacco and alcohol. 
• Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – allergy to horses or any horse blood products, asthma, hay fever or any seasonal allergies, or diabetes.

For proper use, follow the directions given by your doctor. This medication is available in the form of a solution, for intravenous route. This medication is applied by an experienced healthcare professional, at the hospital using a needle which is inserted in a vein on the arm. 

The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, this medication must be used regularly.

Visit your doctor, regularly, at your scheduled appointments so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed. 

These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment, if there are any serious side effects present which would worsen your condition, or if your condition does not improve. 

Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur. 

Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, due to the lack of studies which would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy.

At least two proven forms of birth control should be used during the treatment to help prevent pregnancy. Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. 

This medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers, due to the lack of studies which would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers.

Along with its needed beneficial effects, there are potential side effects which could occur. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious. 

However, it is important to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible for further directions.

Common side effects:

• headache
• hives or welts
• itching/redness of the skin
• skin rash, or
• nausea

These are common side effects, which are not considered as serious, However, if their presence persists or worsens, inform the doctor as soon as possible.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication to not common. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.