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# Polyvalent Lonomia antivenom

Antivenom from Colombia's INS against the venom of Lonomia caterpillars (churruscos), which causes a bleeding syndrome.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Antivenoms](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antivenoms/)
- Target: Procoagulant and fibrinolytic toxins of Lonomia venom

Also called: Anti-Lonomia serum, Lonomic antivenom

## Mechanism of action

Venom enters through the caterpillar's bristles on skin contact. It activates clotting and fibrinolysis, consumes fibrinogen and other factors, and causes bleeding hours after contact: bruising, gum bleeding, haematuria and, in severe cases, intracranial haemorrhage or kidney failure. Antibodies neutralise circulating toxins; response is followed with clotting tests.

- Caterpillar bristles inject venom into the skin
- Toxins activate clotting and fibrinolysis and consume fibrinogen
- Antivenom neutralises the circulating toxins
- Clotting tests normalise and bleeding stops

## Pharmacokinetics

**Distribution**
Intravenous, in the plasma where the toxins circulate

## Indications

- Contact with Lonomia caterpillars (L. casanarensis, L. orientoandensis) with abnormal clotting or bleeding

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Urticaria, itching and fever during the infusion

### Serious (rare, important)

- Anaphylaxis
- Late serum sickness

## Contraindications

- No absolute contraindication in a Lonomia bleeding syndrome; anaphylaxis treatment is prepared

## Key interactions

**Antifibrinolytics**
Used before antivenom existed; today antivenom is the treatment of choice

## What is monitored

- Fibrinogen and clotting times before and after antivenom
- Bleeding from gums, urine, gut and neurological signs
- Kidney function

## Administration and safety

- Intravenous only, under medical supervision
- Store refrigerated (2–8 °C)
- Have anaphylaxis treatment ready

## Nursing care

- Ask about caterpillar contact even if the skin lesion looks mild
- Watch for signs of bleeding and urine output
- Take the clotting samples requested before and after antivenom
- Watch for reactions during the infusion

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The bleeding syndrome endangers mother and fetus; pregnancy does not prevent antivenom when it is indicated.

## Memory aid

Lonomia = "the caterpillar that bleeds you": it stings like a burn and hours later the blood no longer clots.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What syndrome follows contact with Lonomia caterpillars?

A bleeding syndrome from consumption of fibrinogen and other factors and intense fibrinolysis, appearing hours after contact.

## How is the response to Lonomia antivenom assessed?

With clotting tests (fibrinogen and clotting times), which should improve.

## Which kidney complication can accompany Lonomia envenoming?

Acute kidney failure, as a complication of the bleeding disorder.

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## Related drugs

- [Polyvalent snake antivenom (Bothrops and Crotalus)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/polyvalent-snake-antivenom/)

[← Back to the class: Antivenoms](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antivenoms/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Venta de Antivenenos](https://www.ins.gov.co/Direcciones/Produccion/Paginas/Suero-antiofidico-polivalente.aspx) (Instituto Nacional de Salud (Colombia), 2026); [Síndrome hemorrágico por contacto con orugas del género Lonomia (Saturniidae) en Casanare, Colombia: informe de dos casos](https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=84321407) (Biomédica (Instituto Nacional de Salud, Colombia), 2001); [Guidelines for the production, control and regulation of snake antivenom immunoglobulins, Annex 5, TRS No 1004](https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/snake-antivenom-immunoglobulins-annex-5-trs-no-1004) (World Health Organization, 2017).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/polyvalent-lonomia-antivenom/