dextran

Dextran is a prescription medication used to treat hypovolemia (decreased volume of circulatory plasma blood) resulting from surgery, trauma, severe burns, or other causes of bleeding. Dextran may be used alone or with other medications.

• Decreased urinary output 2nd to shock, bowel surgery, dehydration, active hemorrhage, hypernatremia, pathological abdominal conditions, thrombocytopenia
• Monitor urinary output
• Contains no preservatives, discard unused portions

Do not take if you have: 

• Hypersensitivity to dextran or corn products
• Pulmonary edema, severe bleeding disorders, severe CHF, severe oliguria/anuria due to renal disease, significant hemostatic defects, cardiac decompensation
• 10 %: Marked thrombocytopenia or hypofibrinogenemia

Common side effects of dextran include:

• Mild itching,
• Rash,
• Body aches,
• Numbness or tingly feeling,
• Nausea,
• Vomiting,
• Stomach pain,
• Diarrhea,
• Mild dizziness,
• Weakness,
• Low fever, and
• Brown discoloration of your skin

Serious side effects of dextran include:

• Severely low blood pressure,
• Lightheadedness,
• Trouble breathing,
• Fast or slow heartbeats,
• Chest pain,
• Wheezing,
• Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• Blue-coloured lips or fingernails,
• Red or pink urine,
• Weak or shallowing breathing,
• Breathing that may stop,
• Seizure,
• Swelling, warmth, redness, or itching at the injection site,
• Fever,
• Chills,
• Dizziness,
• Headache,
• General ill feeling,
• Nausea,
• Vomiting,
• Joint or muscle pain, and
• Back pain

Rare side effects of dextran include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug.

Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

injectable solution

• 6 % (Dextran 70)
• 10 % (Dextran 40)

Shock

Adult and geriatric dosage

• No more than 20 mL/kg IV during the first 24 hours; than 10 mL/kg/day  
• Same mL dosage for both 10% & 6%

10 % Solution

• No more than 5 days
• First 500 mL infused rapidly, then slow infusion

Pediatric dosage

10 % Solution

• Initial dose: 10 mL/kg Intravenous infused rapidly, no more than 20 mL/kg/24 hours, then no more than 10 mL/kg/day, no more than 5 days 

Surgery (DVT/PE Prophylaxis)

Adult and geriatric dosage

• 10 % Solution: 500-1000 mL (Approximately 10 mL/kg) on the day of surgery; then 500 mL/day for 2-3 days; then 500 mL every 2-3 Days or as needed up to 2 weeks
• 6 % Solution: Not approved but used

Priming Fluid in Pump Oxygenators, Uterine Cavity Distention

Adult and geriatric dosage

• Add 10-20 mL/kg (or 1-2 g/kg); not to exceed 20 mL/kg (2g/kg); dose varies with volume of pump oxygenator

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Dextran has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Dextran has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Dextran has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Dextran has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. 

Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Pregnancy

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.

Lactation

• Not known if distributed into breast milk, avoid