Moderate-to-severe envenoming requiring ViperaTAb antivenom therapy in the UK.

Abstract

Bites by the European adder (Vipera berus) in the UK are uncommon but potentially life threatening, and can be associated with marked limb swelling and disability. Following an interruption in Zagreb Imunološki zavod antivenom supply around 2012, the UK changed its national choice of antivenom for Vipera berus to ViperaTAb, an ovine Fab monospecific antivenom. In the absence of randomised controlled trials, we established an audit to review its use in clinical practice.