TETANUS ANTITOXIN ( EQUINE)

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Therapeutic action

Indications

Composition, forms and strengths, route of administration

Dosage and duration

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

Remarks

Storage

 
 
Equine tetanus antitoxin should no longer be used, as there is a risk of hypersensitivity
and serum sickness.

It should be replaced by human tetanus immunoglobulin.

Therapeutic action
Neutralisation of tetanus toxin. Tetanus antiserum provides temporary passive immunity against
tetanus for 2 weeks.

Indications
Prevention of tetanus in wound management, in patients non immunised or incompletely
immunised or in patients whose immunisation status is unknown, in combination with tetanus
vaccine
Treatment of clinical tetanus

Composition, forms and strengths, route of administration

Solution prepared from the serum of horses immunised against tetanus toxin
1500 IU in 1 ml ampoule, for IM injection. DO NOT ADMINISTER BY IV ROUTE.

Dosage and duration

Prevention of tetanus
Tetanus antiserum is administered in the event of tetanus-prone wounds, e.g. wounds with
fracture, deep penetrating wounds, bite wounds, wounds containing foreign bodies, wounds
contaminated with soil, infected wounds, extensive tissue damage (contusions, burns).

Child and adult: 1500 IU single dose; 3000 IU if more than 24 hours has elapsed
It is administered as soon as possible after injury, along with the tetanus vaccine, in a separate
syringe and injection site.
 
Treatment of tetanus
Neonate: 1500 IU single dose
Child and adult: 10 000 IU single dose

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

Do not administer to patients with known allergy to tetanus antiserum.
May cause: hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylactic shock, Quinke oedema; serum sickness up to
10 days after injection.
Administer following Besredka's method: inject 0.1 ml by SC route and wait 15 minutes; if no local
or general allergic reactions occur, inject 0.25 ml by SC route and wait 15 minutes; if no reactions,
administer the injection by IM route.
Ensure that the injection does not enter a blood vessel (risk of shock): aspirate prior to injection to
confirm that the needle is not in a vein.
Pregnancy: no contra-indication
Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

Remarks
Equine tetanus antitoxin is not included in the WHO list of essential medicines.

Storage
 
– Between 2 °C and 8 °C. Do not freeze.