Albumin - what is it? Properties and indications for the use of the drug

Quite often patients in severe conditions are prescribed the drug "albumin". What it is? What are the properties of this substance? For what purpose is it used? Are there any contraindications and side effects?

So, albumin - what is it?

Albumin is a substance that is present in the body of every human being, since it is an integral part of the blood plasma. This protein compound is extremely important for maintaining normal oncotic pressure.

But there is also a preparation "albumin". What it is? This drug is manufactured by fractionating human plasma. The human albumin solution is transparent (occasionally with a yellowish tinge) and has no odor. This drug has anabolic properties, replenishes the deficiency of natural protein molecules, enhances the transfer of fluid tissues into the bloodstream.

The drug "Albumin": indications for use

This medicine replenishes the lost volume of blood and eliminates the deficit of protein substances. That is why it is often used in such pathological conditions as traumatic, septic, operational and toxic shock. The drug is effective in severe burns, which are often accompanied by dehydration and thickening of the blood.

The agent "Albumin" is also included in the scheme of treatment of edema of the brain, ascites. Diseases of the liver, accompanied by a violation of the synthetic activity of the body, are also an indication for the use of the drug. The drug is used for nephritis, hemolytic disease, gastric and intestinal ulcer, diseases of the digestive system, accompanied by a violation of patency, and so on.

In addition, the solution of human albumin is often used in blood transfusions, during hemodialysis and therapeutic plasmapheresis. Sometimes the solution is used for parenteral nutrition.

Albumin solution: instructions for use

Immediately it is worth noting that only a specialist can prescribe the medicine and only after a preliminary examination. Only a doctor knows why albumin is needed, what it is and what dosage will be most effective in this or that case.

The solution is injected intravenously with a jet (injection) or by a drip. As a rule, solutions with an albumin concentration of 5, 10 or 20% are used for treatment. As for the dosage, it is determined individually, depending on the condition and age of the patient. For example, elderly patients are not recommended to enter 20% solutions, since this creates an additional burden on the cardiovascular system.

In most cases, the daily dose is calculated depending on the body weight - 1-2 ml (if it is a 10% solution) for each kilogram of the body. The procedure is repeated every 24 hours or every two days until visible improvements are made.

Contraindications and adverse reactions

This medicine has a number of contraindications. In particular, it should not be taken with hypersensitivity to albumin. It is not used to treat patients with thrombosis, chronic anemia, pulmonary edema, or hypertension. Contraindications include prolonged internal bleeding, as well as chronic renal and heart failure.

When using weak solutions of albumin, adverse reactions are rarely recorded. Side effects include hives, swelling, tachycardia, low back pain, shortness of breath, chills and fever.