How many snake killers are alive right now thanks to the objects of their irrational hatred?
How many more will be saved by the ongoing cancer research o n snake venom?
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Several life-saving medications, particularly for cardiovascular and blood disorders, are derived from or modeled after snake venom. Scientists isolate specific peptides and proteins from venom, which are then used directly as purified drugs or synthesized into pharmaceutical compounds to treat conditions like high blood pressure and heart attacks.
Lehigh Valley Health Network
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Common medications inspired or made from snake venom include:
Captopril: The most famous venom-derived drug, approved in the early 1980s. Modeled after a peptide from the venom of the Brazilian pit viper (Bothrops jararaca), it is an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
British Heart Foundation
Eptifibatide (Integrilin): An antiplatelet medication modeled after disintegrins found in the venom of the Southeastern pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri). It is used to prevent blood clots and heart attacks in acute coronary syndrome patients.
Wikipedia
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Tirofiban (Aggrastat): An antiplatelet drug developed from echistatin, a component of the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) venom. It prevents platelets from clumping together during and after a heart attack.
Lehigh Valley Health Network
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Batroxobin (Reptilase/Defibrase): A thrombin-like enzyme sourced from the venom of the Brazilian lancehead snake (Bothrops atrox). It is used primarily outside the United States as a coagulant or to defibrinogenate the blood to prevent strokes and improve circulation.
Wikipedia
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Enalapril: Another widely used ACE inhibitor heavily reliant on original snake-venom research, functioning similarly to Captopril to help manage cardiovascular health.
Lehigh Valley Health Network
To explore or compare cardiovascular medications—such as the ACE inhibitors and antiplatelet drugs mentioned above—you can utilize online pharmacy resources like GoodRx or consult authoritative medical portals such as the American Heart Association
Good post! As one who has treatable high blood pressure (currently under control) I’ve read about the BP drugs that are derived from or inspired by snake venom. I take an ACE inhibitor so I give thanks to the critters and scientists who’ve made it possible. Otherwise I’d be dead by now. When I was diagnosed in 2009 I was clocked at 205/135 resting. My doc told me I was a walking stroke. These days I’m controlled down to 140/90 which has been my BP since I was 25. Never have been the 120/80 so-called normal. Let’s hear it for the snakes! <3