albumin human

Albumin is a naturally occurring transport protein found in the body. Medically it is used to treat a variety of conditions related to a person's insufficient production of albumin.

Albumin is used for hypovolemia (low blood volume), hypoalbuminemia (low albumin), burns, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), nephrosis, renal dialysis, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, acute liver failure, and hemolytic disease of the newborn.

• Albumin is a naturally occurring transport protein found in the body. Albumin binds to many substances including bilirubin, fatty acids, hormones, enzymes, drugs, dyes, and trace elements.
• Albumin is responsible for 70% to 80% of the osmotic pressure of normal plasma, regulating the volume of circulating blood.
• Albumin temporarily increases blood volume. Commercially available albumin is fractionated from blood or plasma from donors.

Side effects of albumin are

• edema,
• increased heart rate,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• flushing,
• itching,
• fever, and
• chills.

Allergic reactions may occur. Albumin is a blood product and therefore has a small risk of transmission of viral diseases.

Adults

• Hypovolemia: Administer albumin 25% 100 to 200 ml; repeat in 15 to 20 minutes if necessary for patients' primarily needing protein/oncotic pressure. For patients with significant plasma or volume deficits (hypovolemic shock), use albumin 5%.
• Hypoalbuminemia: Initially administer 12.5 to 25 g of albumin IV, based on total albumin deficit. Maximum 2 g of albumin per kg of weight per day.
• Burns: After the first 24 hours, administer albumin 5% or 25% IV to achieve plasma albumin level of approximately 2.5 g / 100 ml or a total plasma protein concentration 5.2 g / 100 ml. Initial dose of 25 g of albumin is recommended.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): Administer 25 g of albumin IV over 30 minutes, every 8 hours for 3 days, if necessary.

Children:

• Hypovolemia: Administer albumin 25% 2.5 to 5 ml per kg of weight; repeat in 15 – 20 minutes if necessary. For patients with significant plasma deficits, use albumin 5%.
• Hypoalbuminemia: For ages 12 to 16, administer 50 to 75 g IV as initial dose.
• Burns: For ages 12 to 16, dose should be individualized based on plasma oncotic pressure or protein content or by direct observations of vital signs; patients must be adequately hydrated.
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): For ages 12 to 16, administer 25 g of albumin IV over 30 minutes, every 8 hours for 3 days, if necessary.
• Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn: May administer albumin 25% prior to or during exchange transfusion in a dose of 1 g per kg of bodyweight.

Safe and effective use of albumin 5% and 25% is not established in children less than 12 years of age.

• Albumin should not be diluted with sterile water because this can cause hemolysis.
• Do not mix with protein hydrolysates or solutions containing alcohol since these combinations can cause the proteins to precipitate.
• Do not mix with other medicinal products including blood and blood components. Albumin is compatible with whole blood, plasma, saline, glucose, or sodium lactate.

• There are no adequate studies done on albumin to determine safe and effective use in pregnant women.
• Albumin is present in breast milk. It is compatible with breastfeeding.

What preparations of human albumin are available?

• Albumin intravenous solution is available in 5% and 25% concentrations. Albumin 5% is available in 50 ml (2.5 grams of albumin), 250 ml (12.5 grams of albumin), and 500 ml (25 grams of albumin) bottles or vials. Albumin 25% is available in 20 ml (5 grams of albumin), 50 ml (12.5 grams of albumin), and 100 ml (25 grams of albumin) bottles or vials.

How should I keep human albumin stored?

• Albumin is stored at room temperature not exceeding 30 C (86 F). Do not freeze the solution.