Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
injectable solution
- 50mg/mL (5%)
- 250mg/mL (25%)
Acute Liver Failure
Indicated for maintenance of cardiovascular function following paracentesis due to cirrhotic ascites
6-8 g IV for every 1000 mL of ascitic fluid removed
Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Indicated for adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in conjunction with diuretics to correct fluid volume overload associated with ARDS
25 g IV over 30 minutes; repeat q8hr PRN
Burns
Indicated after 24 hr post burn if severe albumin depletion in order to favor edema reabsorption
Amount of albumin required to achieve adequate plasma volume and protein content should be determined by direct observation of vital signs or measurement of either plasma oncotic pressure or protein content
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Indicated for procedures as part of the priming fluids for bypass machine
Required dose can be estimated from the difference between the desired and actual total serum protein concentration multiplied by the estimated plasma volume (~40 mL/kg) times 2 (to account for extravascular deficit, which absorbs about half of the administered dose)
Hypoalbuminemia
Indicated for restoration and maintenance of circulating blood volume deficiency caused by illness or active bleeding; when albumin deficiency results from excessive protein loss, the effect of albumin administration will be temporary unless the underlying disorder is reversed
Hemodialysis
Indicated for patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis or for those who are fluid-overloaded and cannot tolerate substantial volumes of sodium for therapy of shock or hypotension
25 g IV
Hypovolemia
Indicated for restoration and maintenance of circulating blood volume where volume deficiency is demonstrated and colloid use is appropriate
Initial 25 g IV; adjust according to volume requirements
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Indicated as a plasma expander in fluid management of severe forms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
50-100 g IV infused over 4 hr; repeat q4-12hr PRN
Dosage Forms & Strengths
injectable solution
- 50mg/mL (5%)
- 250mg/mL (25%)
Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
25% albumin: 1 g/kg/dose IV administered before or during plasma exchange
Use 25% concentration with extreme caution in neonates, owing to risk of intraventricular hemorrhage from rapid expansion of intravascular volume
Hypovolemia
5% albumin: 0.5-1 g/kg/dose IV infused over 1 hr; may infuse more rapidly for hypovolemic shock
Ascites with Hypoalbuminemia
25% albumin: 1 g/kg/dose IV infused over 2-3 hr; may repeat q8hr until serum albumin above 2.5 g/dL
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (0)
Monitor Closely (0)
Minor (0)
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Flushing
Urticaria
Fever
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting
Tachycardia
Hypotension
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to commercially available albumin products; suspected hypersensitivity to perflutren, blood, blood products or albumin
Severe anemia, heart failure
Cautions
Hypersensitivity reactions reported; monitor patient during infusion in facility that can respond to anaphylaxis
Caution in conditions where hypervolemia and its consequences or hemodilution could represent a special risk (eg, heart failure, arterial hypertension, esophageal varices, pulmonary edema, hemorrhagic diathesis, severe anemia, renal and postrenal anuria)
Do not dilute with sterile water for injection as this may cause hemolysis; use D5W or 0.9% NaCl for dilution
When replacing large volumes of albumin, control of coagulation and hematocrit is essential; ensure adequate substitution of other blood constituents (eg, coagulation factors, electrolytes, platelets, erythrocytes)
Colloid osmotic effect is ~4 times that of human blood; therefore, when concentrated albumin is administered, ensure adequate hydration of the patient; carefully monitor to guard against circulatory overload by assessing arterial blood pressure and pulse rate, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, urine output, electrolyte levels, and hematocrit/hemoglobin
Albumin is a blood product; extremely remote risk for transmission of viral diseases and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregancy
No human or animal data are available to indicate the presence or absence of drug-associated risk
Lactation
Unknown if excreted in human milk
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Replacement of plasma protein; increases intravascular oncotic pressure, mobilizes fluids from interstitial into intravascular space
Distribution
Plasma compartment: 30-40%
Extravascular compartments: 67%
Half-life, distribution: 16 hr; inversely proportional to plasma albumin concentrations
Metabolism
Minimally in the liver; main site is unknown
Elimination
Elimination half-life: 15-20 days
Excretion: Intestinal mucosa, not via kidney
Administration
IV Incompatibilities
Additive: Verapamil
Y-site: Fat emulsions, midazolam, vancomycin, verapamil
IV Compatibilities
Solution: Dextrose solutions, saline solutions, dextrose-saline, Ringer LR, Na-lactate 1/6M
Y-site: Diltiazem, lorazepam
IV Preparation
Reconstitution: If 5% human albumin is unavailable, dilute 25% human albumin with NS or D5W
Do NOT use sterile water as diluent - risk of potentially fatal hemolysis and acute renal failure
IV Administration
For IV administration only
5% solution: Use for hypovolemia or patients who are intravascularly depleted
25% solution: Use in patients who have fluid or sodium restrictions, or to mobilize fluids
Use within 4 hr after opening vial; discard unused portion
Do not dilute 5% solution
Albumin 25% may be given undiluted or diluted in in 0.9% NaCl
May give in combination or through same administration set as saline or carbohydrates
Do not use with ethanol or protein hydrolysates; precipitation may form
Storage
Store at <30°C (86°F); do not freeze
Store vial in outer carton to protect from light
Do not use solution if turbid or contains a deposit; use within 4 hr of opening vial; discard unused portion
Images
BRAND | FORM. | UNIT PRICE | PILL IMAGE |
---|---|---|---|
Albutein 5 % intravenous - | 5 % vial | ![]() | |
Albutein 5 % intravenous - | 5 % vial | ![]() | |
AlbuRx (Human) 5 % intravenous - | 5 % vial | ![]() | |
AlbuRx (Human) 5 % intravenous - | 5 % vial | ![]() |
Copyright © 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
Patient Handout
albumin, human 5 % intravenous
NO MONOGRAPH AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
USES: Consult your pharmacist.
HOW TO USE: Consult your pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Consult your pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Consult your pharmacist.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Consult your pharmacist.Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: No monograph available at this time.
MISSED DOSE: Consult your pharmacist.
STORAGE: Consult your pharmacist.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2023 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
Formulary
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