Black widow spider envenomation

Diazepam is used primarily in the treatment of mental anxiety. In addition, it acts as a muscle relaxant for a variety of medical conditions. It may also be used as a sedative-hypnotic and anticonvulsant (e.g., for status epilepticus and drug-induced seizures). Diazepam may also be used to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the following cholinesterase poisoning, substance abuse withdrawal, antihistamine overdose. Black Widow spider envenomation, and chloroquine overdose. As an anesthetic, diazepam may be used alone or in combination with other drugs for conscious sedation. 

Clark RF, Wethern-Kestner S, and Vance MV (1992) Clinical presentation and treatment of black widow spider envenomation A review of 163 cases. Annals of Emergency Medicine 21 782-787. 

C. Muscle relaxant. These drugs can be used for relaxation of excessive muscle rigidity and contractions (eg, caused by strychnine poisoning or black widow spider envenomation or rigidity syndromes with hyperthermia or dyskinesias or tetanus). 

Dantrolene is not likely to be effective for hyperthennia caused by conditions other than muscular hyperactivity, such as increased metabolic rate (eg, salicylate or dinitrophenol poisoning), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), impaired heat dissipation (eg, anticholinergic syndrome), or environment exposure (heat stroke). However, there is anecdotal evidence (case reports or case-control studies) of benefit for the management of NMS, MAO inhibitor (phenelzine poisoning)-induced hyperthermia, muscle rigidity from baclofen withdrawal, hypertonicity from carbon monoxide poisoning, tetanus, and black widow spider envenomation. 

A. Severe pain associated with black widow spider envenomation, rattlesnake envenomation, or other bites or stings. 

Phylum Arthropoda is the largest phylum in the animal kingdom. Most of the species are nontoxic. However, Class Arachnida contains spiders. Arach-nidism means envenomation from a spider. Most spiders are venomous however, the black widow, brown recluse, and hobo spiders are responsible for a significant number of toxicity events in humans, so these will be discussed in more detail. 

---