Mechanism of Vipera berus venom activity and the principles of antivenom administration in treatment.

In the present paper, the actual knowledge on the composition and toxic properties of the European common viper venom was analyzed. The organism response to the particular components and the methods of neutralization of venom toxin in bitten person were presented. On the basis of literature data, the clinical course of envenomation with its classification according to the severity of symptoms was characterized. In the paper the situations in which administration of antivenom is required to neutralize toxic properties of venom and its possible adverse reactions were also described.