Common Blood Thinner Heparin Found to Neutralize Cobra Venom and Flesh-Eating Snake Bites

Jul 17, 2024, 08:23 PM

A global study suggests that the common blood thinner heparin could be repurposed as an antidote to cobra venom. Researchers from Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, and the UK, including Sydney scientists, have discovered that heparin can neutralize the venom, potentially revolutionizing the treatment of cobra bites and flesh-eating snake bites. This development could drastically reduce the terrible injuries caused by cobra bites and improve survival rates, preventing thousands of deaths. The study indicates that heparin may also prevent snakebite victims from losing limbs, offering a cheap and effective solution to a significant medical issue.