Indicated for: treatment of diphtheria
Route of administration: injectable
Substance: antidiphtheria therapeutic serum (therapeutic serum)
ATC: J06AA01 (Antiinfectives for systemic use | Immune sera)
The therapeutic antidiphtheric serum is a product derived from the plasma of animals (usually horses) immunized against diphtheria toxin. It is used to treat diphtheria, a serious infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces a toxin that can severely affect the throat, heart, nerves, and other organs. The serum neutralizes the diphtheria toxin, preventing disease progression and severe complications.
The antidiphtheric serum is administered intravenously or intramuscularly, typically in specialized medical facilities, under strict medical supervision. The dosage is determined based on the severity of the disease and the patient's weight.
Side effects may include allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itching, fever, or, in rare cases, anaphylactic reactions. Serum sickness, a delayed reaction characterized by fever, joint pain, and skin rashes, may also occur days or weeks after administration.
The therapeutic antidiphtheric serum is a life-saving treatment for diphtheria, but its use requires careful monitoring to manage potential adverse effects. It is crucial for patients to receive this treatment as soon as possible after a diphtheria diagnosis, along with other therapeutic measures such as antibiotics and patient isolation to prevent the spread of the disease.