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Examples
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Albuminar Albumisol Normal serum albumin (human) Plasbumin Salt-poor albumin SPA | Albumin |
Albumin is given directly into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Dosage is based on body size and the severity of the illness.
How It Works
Albumin is a protein that is made in the liver and released into the blood. It helps prevent blood from leaking out of blood vessels, and it carries medications and other substances through the blood. It is also important for tissue growth and healing. When albumin levels drop, fluid may collect in the ankles (pedal edema), lungs (pulmonary edema), or belly (ascites).
Why It Is Used
Albumin is primarily used for short-term treatment of nephrotic syndrome. It helps to remove extra fluid from the tissues and puts it back into a normal circulation pattern. It improves kidney function by increasing blood flow to the kidneys.
How Well It Works
Albumin restores blood volume and improves kidney function in people with nephrotic syndrome. It acts quickly, though it only works for a few hours.
Side Effects
Albumin can cause heart failure if it is given too rapidly.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Albumin must be given over 8 to 12 hours to prevent heart failure.
You should not use albumin if you have severe anemia, heart failure, or a known hypersensitivity to albumin.
Many experts question the benefits of albumin for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome. However, albumin is particularly effective when nephrotic syndrome is causing pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, or acute renal failure. 1
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References
Citations
Credits
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology |
| Last Updated | June 13, 2007 |
| Last updated: | June 13, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Monica Rhodes |
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman |
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