The popular 'Kyypakkaus' and 'Ampikyy' products have been added to many Finnish medicine cabinets over the last five decades, but we now know it does not actually help much with snake bites.
The name references adders, the only venomous snake in Finland, and the idea was originally that the tablets would help alleviate the effects of a snake bite.
However, the active ingredient is hydrocortisone, which research now suggests is ineffective against snake bites.
That's why Finland's Poison Information Centre says that the "snake tablets" are not an essential part of the first aid process for snake bites, as the small dose of hydrocortisone treatment is not proven to have any effect.
Medicine marketing in Finland is regulated by Fimea, the Finnish Medicines Agency. The Chief Physician at Fimea, Vesa Mustalammi, says that a snake bite should always be treated by a doctor.
"It is dangerous if a person thinks that a bite can be treated with over-the-counter medication, and doesn't go to the doctor in time," said Mustalammi.
Old, established brand name
The current medicines came to the market 50 years ago, when knowledge about hydrocortisone's effects on snake bites was still limited compared to current research.
Once a permit to sell a medicine is granted, it is not easily revoked. At one point Fimea evaluated medicines every five years, but now there is no time limit on permits.
Unless a medicine is found to be dangerous, Fimea does not revoke already-granted licences.
Snake tablets as sold in Finland are in something of a grey area.
"It's not that dangerous and on the other hand it isn't very useful," noted Mustalammi.
First aid for wasp stings
Generally useless medicines are withdrawn from the market when consumers stop buying them. Mustalammi says the snake tablets are actually effective for wasp and bee stings, so he would not remove them from sale.
"The optimal situation would be that the snake bite treatment information was removed from these medicines' packaging, and the name was changed."
"Kyypakkaus" manufacturer Orion says it gets consumer queries from time to time. The firm's Head of Communications Terhi Ormio says that they have not considered changing the name.
"In itself, the name emphasises the need to react quickly in snake bite situations," said Ormio. "The packaging also says that this is only first aid, that is intended to make people more comfortable. There is also guidance to seek care from a doctor."
It can be difficult to evaluate the seriousness of a snake bite, as symptoms can develop over a period of hours. Speedily seeking help is crucial if the bite is near the head or neck.
Hospital observation may be needed if the bite victim is aged under 15, pregnant, elderly or seriously ill, if the bite causes a strong localised reaction, or if the patient has general symptoms such as breathing difficulties or vomiting.
Hospitals will generally treat bite victims with large doses of hydrocortisone, antibiotics and antivenom.
The last time a person died from a snake bite in Finland was in 1998.
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