human serum albumin at a glance
Medicine class
Plasma protein and colloid blood-volume expander
Licensed role
Restoring or maintaining circulating volume when deficiency is demonstrated and a colloid is appropriate
Administration
Intravenous infusion under clinical supervision
Human origin
Manufactured from donated human plasma using donor screening and pathogen-reduction measures
What is human serum albumin used for?
Human serum albumin is licensed for:
Restoring and maintaining circulating blood volume where volume deficiency has been demonstrated and a colloid is appropriate.
How does human serum albumin work?
Albumin contributes to plasma oncotic pressure, helping retain fluid within blood vessels. Concentrated albumin draws and holds fluid in the circulation and also transports substances including hormones, enzymes, medicines and toxins.
human serum albumin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 50 g/L, 200 g/L, 5%, 20%
How to take human serum albumin
A healthcare professional gives human serum albumin by intravenous infusion. It may be infused directly or diluted with compatible isotonic glucose or sodium chloride solution. It must not be diluted with water for injections, mixed with whole blood or packed red cells, or used if cloudy or containing deposits.
The clinical team monitors your response and adjusts administration to your situation.
Tell staff promptly about flushing, rash, nausea, fever, breathing difficulty or headache during the infusion.
The product name and batch number should be recorded for traceability.
human serum albumin side effects
Common or expected effects
- No effects are identified as common. Rare mild reactions include flushing, raised itchy rash, fever and nausea.
- Reactions of unknown frequency include headache, chills, sweating, confusion and changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis, including facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty, profound low blood pressure or shock.
- Circulatory overload or pulmonary oedema, which may cause breathlessness, headache, raised blood pressure or neck-vein congestion.
human serum albumin in pregnancy
Controlled pregnancy studies are unavailable. Clinical experience has not indicated harmful effects on pregnancy or the baby, but the specialist team should decide and monitor treatment and fluid-volume management.
human serum albumin interactions
No specific pharmacological interactions are known. Healthcare professionals should still review all concurrent medicines and infusions.
Other medicines, whole blood or packed red cells
Human albumin must not be mixed with these in the same infusion. Only specified compatible isotonic diluents should be used.
Common questions about human serum albumin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is human serum albumin made from?
It is purified human albumin manufactured from donated plasma, with donor screening and manufacturing steps intended to reduce infectious risks.
Is it a blood transfusion?
It is a plasma-derived medicinal product rather than a cellular blood component. Because it is of human origin, patients should receive appropriate information and participate in consent discussions.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.