Tarantula Envenomation Medication

  • Author: Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 9, 2011
 

Medication Summary

No existing medications are specific to treat tarantula injuries occurring in the United States. Medical therapy is directed mainly at symptom relief.

One species of the funnel web spider (Atrax robustus) of Australia produces highly toxic venom that is neurotoxic and potentially fatal. Antivenom specific to Atrax has been developed and is used in Australia.

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Antihistamines

Class Summary

Prevent but do not reverse histamine-mediated responses, particularly in smooth muscle of the bronchi, GI tract, uterus, and blood vessels. Prevent histamine responses in sensory nerve endings. Commonly used for temporary relief of symptoms caused by allergic conditions.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

 

Competes with histamine for cell receptor sites on effector cells; has anticholinergic (drying) and sedative adverse effects.

Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

 

Forms a complex with histamine to block H1-receptor sites on target cells in blood vessels, GI tract, and respiratory tract.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli. Suppress the migration of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and reverse increased capillary permeability, reducing inflammatory processes. Can cause profound and varied metabolic effects.

Prednisone (Deltasone, Sterapred, Orasone)

 

Has potent antiinflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.

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Ophthalmic agents

Class Summary

Used for inflammatory conditions in which corticosteroids are indicated and risk of infection exists.

Neomycin/polymyxin B/bacitracin topical (Cortisporin)

 

Hydrocortisone suppresses inflammatory response. Because it also may inhibit body's defense mechanism against infection, a concomitant antimicrobial drug may be used, giving rationale for combination. Anti-infective components are included to provide action against specific susceptible organisms.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM  Medical Director, Emergency Care Center, Venice Regional Medical Center

Scott D Fell, DO, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert L Norris, MD  Professor, Department of Surgery, Chief, Division of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center

Robert L Norris, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, California Medical Association, International Society of Toxinology, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD  Regional Director of Pharmacy, Sacred Heart and St Joseph's Hospitals

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Matthew M Rice, MD, JD, FACEP  Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Northwest Emergency Physicians of TeamHealth; Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine

Matthew M Rice, MD, JD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Washington State Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD  Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

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The Chilean rose tarantula. The urticating hairs are clearly visible. Courtesy of Mike Dembinsky.
Enlargement of tarantula hairs. Courtesy of Cara Shillington.
Slit-lamp photograph showing 2 central infiltrates caused by urticating tarantula hairs (arrows). Courtesy of Southern Medical Journal and David A. Belyea, MD.
 
 
 
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