A first-response pill for snakebite, currently being tested at two state-run hospitals in Kolkata as part of a global trial, has shown promising results, potentially extending the critical ‘golden hour’ for treatment to five hours. The ‘golden hour’ refers to the initial period after a traumatic injury, crucial for effective treatment to prevent death. Currently, snakebite victims must receive antivenom within four hours, with victims of highly venomous snakes needing treatment within just one hour.
The pill, containing a synthetic molecule called varespladib, could offer a life-saving solution, especially for victims in remote areas where access to proper medical facilities is limited. In the trial, conducted at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMC) and NRS Medical College and Hospital, varespladib has been administered to patients within five hours of being bitten, yielding encouraging results. At CNMC, all 13 patients who received the pill survived, while the trial at NRS is still ongoing with 19 patients tested so far.
The key advantage of the pill is its ability to be administered by anyone, making it accessible even in district hospitals and health centers that lack refrigeration facilities for antivenom. If the trials prove successful, varespladib could become a game-changer for snakebite victims across India, where 150 to 200 people die annually from snakebites, often due to delays in treatment.
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