Anascorp, First Specific Treatment For Scorpion Stings, Approved By FDA

Anascorp, Centruroides (Scorpion) Immune F(ab)2 (Equine) Injection has been approved for stings by Centruroides scorpions in the USA by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Most poisonous scorpions in the USA can be found in Arizona.

A sting can cause shortness of breath, fluid buildup in the lungs, respiratory problems, blurred vision, swallowing difficulties, abnormal eye movements, walking problems, coordination difficulties, and excess saliva. Infants and children are usually worse affected.

In some cases, if the patient is not treated their condition can become life-threatening.

In the USA only the bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) has venom potent enough to cause serious problems. An adult male can reach over 3 inches in length, and the female about 2.75 inches.

Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said:

"This product provides a new treatment for children and adults and is designed specifically for scorpion stings. Scorpion stings can be life-threatening, especially in infants and children."

Anascorp, Centruroides (Scorpion) Immune F(ab)2 (Equine) Injection is made from horses that have been immunized with the scorpion's venom. Those sensitive to horse proteins may have an immediate or delayed allergic reaction.

The makers of Anascorp say their manufacturing process includes measures to minimize the likelihood of having allergic reactions, as well as reducing transmission of viruses that could be present in the plasma.

An Anascorp randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study included 15 children with neurological signs of scorpion stings. Within four hours of Anascorp treatment the signs disappeared in all eight children. Among those who received the placebo, only one child out of seven had symptoms resolved within four hours.


Side effects from Anascorp may include fever, vomiting, muscle pain, runny nose, headache, itchiness, rash and nausea. Efficacy and safety data was gathered from 1,534 patients in both blinded and open-label studies.

Anascorp is licensed to Rare Disease Therapeutics Inc., Franklin, TN, distributed by Accredo Health Group Inc., Memphis, TN, and manufactured by Instituto Bioclon, S.A. de C.V., of Tlalpan, Mexico, D.F..

Chidlren, babies and pets generally need treatment for scorpion stings. Healthy adults typically do not.