Why do antivenoms still terrify Brazilian doctors? Lessons from the penicillin treatment decentralization

Penicillin and antivenom treatments may cause early adverse reactions. Given the low incidence of hypersensitivity reactions attributed to penicillin, the Brazilian Ministry of Health determined the decentralization of the use of this medicine to community health centers, especially to treat syphilis and prophylaxis of congenital syphilis. Regarding antivenoms, the establishment of modern purification technologies in the manufacturing process ensured the increasing efficacy and safety in the country. However, lack of training and the use of outdated evidence on the frequency of adverse reactions and the overdiagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions to antivenoms generates resistance from health professionals to administer these products in non-hospital settings. Also, robust studies on the safety of concomitant medications are lacking in this field. This results in delays in treatment leading to poor clinical outcomes.