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Pharmacokinetics of Snake Venom
Suchaya Sanhajariya1,2, Stephen B Duffull3, Geoffrey K Isbister4
1Clinical Toxicology Research Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle 2298, Australia. Suchaya.Sanhajariya@uon.edu.au.
Toxins
|February 8, 2018
Summary
Understanding snake venom pharmacokinetics is crucial for effective snakebite treatment. This review synthesizes animal and human data, revealing distinct pharmacokinetic profiles essential for optimizing antivenom therapy and risk assessment in snakebite patients.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Snake venom pharmacokinetics are vital for risk assessment and determining optimal antivenom dosage and timing.
- Current knowledge on snake venom pharmacokinetics in both animals and humans requires comprehensive review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and synthesize existing knowledge on snake venom pharmacokinetics in animals and humans.
- To provide quantitative data that can inform future studies on snakebite pharmacokinetics.
Main Methods:
- Conducted literature searches in EMBASE and Medline databases.
- Included 12 studies for animals and 24 publications for humans with sufficient timed venom concentration data.
- Utilized NONMEM for pharmacokinetic modeling in human data.
Main Results:
- Animal venom disposition typically follows a two-compartment model with rapid distribution and slow elimination (half-lives: 5-48 min and 0.8-28 h).
- Bioavailability varied (4-81.5% IM, 60% SC) with absorption and slow elimination phases observed after non-intravenous administration.
- Human data best fit a one-compartment model with an elimination half-life of 9.71 ± 1.29 h in the absence of antivenom.
Conclusions:
- Snake venom pharmacokinetics exhibit species-specific variations and distinct models in animals versus humans.
- The findings provide a quantitative basis for future research into snakebite pharmacokinetics and antivenom efficacy.
- Understanding these pharmacokinetic parameters is essential for improving clinical management of snakebite envenomation.
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