Human Albumin

Registered South African indications:

• Hypovolaemic shock
• Burns
• Hypoproteinaemia
• Ascites
• Plasma exchange/dialysis

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients

Cautions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Renal impairment
• Hepatic impairment
• Decompensated cardiac insufficiency
• Hypertension
• Oesophageal varices
• Pulmonary oedema
• Haemorrhagic diathesis
• Severe anaemia
• Dehydration
• Large replacement volumes
• Sodium controlled diet

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inj

Hypovolaemic shock 

• IV: 25g as an infusion, may be repeated in 15-30min if needed

Severe burns
-After the first 24hrs if hypoproteinaemia develops and/or to maintain plasma volume

• IV: 25g as an infusion

Burn patient only to receive albumin 24hrs after initial burn

Ascites
-Following removal of large volumes of ascitic fluid

• IV: 8-200g (used to maintain cardiovascular function)

Hypoproteinaemia

• IV: 50-75g as an infusion

Plasma exchange/dialysis

• IV: 25g; Max infusion rate: 30ml/min

Should be given as slow IV infusion at 1ml/min

Choice of 4% or 20% depends on whether patient requires primarily volume (4%) or protein/oncotic pressure (20%)

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inj

Hypovolaemic shock

• IV: 0.5-1g/kg; may be repeated in 15-30min if needed

Severe burns
-after the first 24hrs if hypoproteinaemia develops and/or to maintain plasma volume

• See adult dosage

Burn patient only to receive albumin 24hrs after initial burn

Should be given as slow IV infusion at 1ml/min

Choice of 4% or 20% depends on whether patient requires primarily volume (4%) or protein/oncotic pressure (20%)

Pregnancy

• Caution 
• No animal reproduction studies have been conducted with human albumin. Its safety for use in human pregnancy has not been established in controlled clinical trials and therefore it should only be given with caution to pregnant women. However, clinical experience with albumin suggests that no harmful effects on the course of pregnancy, or on the foetus and the neonate are to be expected

Breastfeeding

• Caution
• It is unknown whether albumin is excreted in human milk. Since human albumin is a normal constituent of human blood, treatment of the nursing mother with albumin is not expected to present a risk to the breastfed newborn/infant

Fertility

• No animal reproduction studies have been conducted with Human Albumin. However, human albumin is a normal constituent of human blood and harmful effects on fertility are not expected

Renal Impairment

• Caution; no dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• Caution; no dose adjustment recommended

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Not porphyrinogenic (NP)

Drugs in Sport

• Prohibited - At all times

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Shock

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Nausea

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Flush
• Urticaria

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Fever

No information available

• Serum electrolytes
• Full blood count
• Hydration status

Albumin is the dynamic protein in plasma responsible for maintaining the plasma colloid osmotic pressure thereby regulating intravascular blood volume. It also has a transport function and is a carrier of hormones, enzymes, medicinal products and toxins.

Injection (per 200ml) 8g

• Albusol 4% (National Bioproducts)

Injection (per 1000ml) 200g

• Albumin Human 20 % Octapharma  (Octapharma) originator
• Albusol 20% (National Bioproducts)