Agkistrodon piscivorus antivenin is a mixture of antibodies used to treat venomous snake bites from the Crotalinae family (pit vipers). Agkistrodon piscivorus antivenin is derived and purified immunoglobulin fragments obtained from other domestic animals such as sheep previously immunized with Agkistrodon piscivorus (Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin snake).
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
CROFAB is a mixture of 4 different monospecific antivenoms derived from serum of healthy sheep immunized with one of the following North American snake venoms: C. atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake), C. adamanteus (Eastern diamondback rattlesnake), C. scutulatus (Mojave rattlesnake), or A. piscivorus (cottonmouth or water moccasin).
CROFAB consists of venom-specific Fab fragments of immunoglobulin G (IgG) that work by binding to and neutralizing venom toxins, facilitating their redistribution away from target tissues and their elimination from the body.
CROFAB contains only the Fab fragments from ovine-derived immunoglobulins. The enzyme papain is used to cleave the IgG antibody, creating 2 separate Fab fragments and 1 Fc fragment. After the cleavage step, another protein binds to the Fc fragments, which are not essential for binding snake venom, allowing the pure Fab fragments to be recovered. The Fab fragments of an immunoglobulin contain the variable regions that recognize and bind to specific antigens.
- Primary indication
- CROFAB is a sheep-derived antivenin indicated for the management of adult and pediatric patients with North American crotalid envenomation.Curator reviewed · 1 structured indication
- First approval
- United States, 2000
- Also known as
- Agkistrodon piscivorus immune fab antivenin (ovine)
- Brand names
Resolves to
What you can answer from here — as of April 02, 2025
Which drugs share a target with Agkistrodon piscivorus antivenin, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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