Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent

Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent is an antitoxin used for naturally occurring noninfant botulism.

• Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent is available under the following different brand names: HBAT.

Common side effects of Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent include:

Headache

• Hives or welts
• Itching skin
• Nausea
• Rash
• Redness of the skin
• Chills
• Fever
• Throat discomfort

Serious side effects of Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent include:

• Shortness of breathing
• Paralysis
• Facial muscle weakness
• Difficult swallowing
• Difficult speaking
• Urinary retention

Rare side effects of Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent include:

• None 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out. 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

IV solution

• 20-mL vial

Botulism

Adult dosage

• 20 mL (1 vial) Intravenous infusion; dilute further with 0.9% NaCl to 1:10 ratio before administering.

Pediatric dosage

• Consult the local state division of epidemiology

Infant Botulism

Pediatric dosage

• Continue to consult the California Infant Botulism Program (510-231-7600) and obtain BabyBIG (effective against botulism toxin types A and B)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• No absolute contraindications were identified in an individual with high-risk exposure to botulinum toxin

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Botulinum Antitoxin, Heptavalent?”

Cautions

• Allergic reactions are expected to be infrequent.
• Immediate systemic reactions (allergic reactions, shock, anaphylaxis) can occur whenever an equine product is administered; immediate reaction usually occurs within 30 minutes after initiating infusion
• Infuse IV slowly as described under administration in the adult dosing section.
• Milder allergic reactions (.g, mild bronchoconstriction, hypotension, hives) may be more common

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks. experience limited in pregnant women; however, A, B, and E antitoxins have been given to pregnant women without causing harm to the mother or the fetus.
• Being pregnant is not a reason to avoid H-BAT administration for botulism; the benefit to the mother and the fetus from receiving heptavalent botulinum Antitoxin should be weighed against the risk of harm from treatment; decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis by the treating physician.
• Lactation
  • Unknown whether distributed in breast milk.