What is high-molecular weight dextran?

High-molecular weight dextran is a plasma volume expander made from natural sources of sugar (glucose). It works by restoring blood plasma lost through severe bleeding. Severe blood loss can decrease oxygen levels and can lead to organ failure, brain damage, coma, and possibly death. Plasma is needed to circulate red blood cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body.

Dextran is used to treat hypovolemia (decreased volume of circulating blood plasma), that can result from surgery, trauma or injury, severe burns, or other causes of bleeding.

Dextran may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important Information

You should not receive this medication if you have severe kidney disease, severe congestive heart failure, or uncontrolled bleeding.

Before taking this medicine

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to dextran, or if you have

  severe kidney disease

  severe congestive heart failure; or

  uncontrolled bleeding.

If possible before you receive dextran, tell your doctor if you have:

  liver or kidney disease;

  a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or thrombocytopenic purpura (easy bruising or bleeding);

  heart disease, fluid retention;

  asthma or breathing problems;

  diabetes;

  epilepsy, seizures, or migraine headaches;

  a stomach or intestinal disorder;

  a food or drug allergy; or

  if you are on a low-salt diet.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you have received this medicine.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether high-molecular weight dextran will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether high-molecular weight dextran passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medication.

How is high-molecular weight dextran given?

This medicine is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when the medicine is injected.

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving high-molecular weight dextran. Your blood will also need to be tested daily during treatment, and you may also need chest x-rays.