sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin at a glance
Class
Gelatin-based colloidal plasma-volume substitute
Usual role
Supports circulating volume during hypovolaemia, shock or certain procedures
Administration
Given into a vein by a healthcare professional
Key allergy check
Must not be used with gelatin, alpha-Gal, red-meat or offal allergy
What is sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin used for?
Licensed uses include:
Treating relative or absolute hypovolaemia and shock.
Preventing hypotension associated with relative hypovolaemia during spinal or epidural anaesthesia.
Preventing hypotension when significant surgical blood loss is imminent.
Use with crystalloid solutions as part of priming fluid for extracorporeal circulation, such as a heart–lung machine.
How does sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin work?
Succinylated gelatin consists of modified, relatively large molecules that remain mainly within blood vessels and exert colloid-osmotic pressure. This draws and retains fluid in the circulation, replacing lost plasma volume. It substitutes volume but does not replace red blood cells or other blood components when these are required.
How to take sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin
This solution is administered through an intravenous infusion by trained healthcare professionals. It is normally used only when crystalloid fluids cannot adequately treat hypovolaemia. Circulation and response are monitored to avoid fluid overload.
Do not drink or self-administer the solution.
Tell staff about gelatin, alpha-Gal, red-meat or offal allergy before treatment.
Tell staff about heart, kidney or lung problems and medicines that promote sodium retention.
sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced haematocrit and plasma-protein concentrations caused by haemodilution.
- Dilution of clotting factors, potentially prolonging clotting tests and increasing bleeding tendency.
Get urgent medical advice
- Rare anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction, potentially progressing to shock.
- Breathing difficulty, wheezing, throat or facial swelling, widespread hives, chest tightness, severe dizziness or collapse.
- Fluid overload or pulmonary oedema, which may cause breathlessness and impaired heart or lung function.
- Marked hypotension or reduced blood oxygen.
sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin in pregnancy
Evidence in pregnancy is limited. Because a severe allergic reaction and resulting maternal hypotension could distress the fetus or newborn, use should be restricted to emergency situations after clinical assessment.
sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin while breastfeeding
Information during breastfeeding is limited. Clinically relevant transfer of succinylated gelatin into milk is not expected because of its high molecular weight, and sodium and chloride are normal constituents of the body and food. The clinical team should consider the benefits of treatment and breastfeeding.
sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin interactions
The main identified concern is increased sodium and fluid retention.
Corticosteroids
Concurrent use may increase sodium retention and contribute to oedema.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Concurrent use may increase sodium retention and contribute to oedema.
Common questions about sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin used for?
It temporarily replaces fluid within the circulation during hypovolaemia or shock and can help prevent hypotension in specified anaesthetic, surgical and extracorporeal-circulation settings.
Is sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin the same as saline?
No. It contains modified gelatin that provides a colloid effect, whereas ordinary saline is a crystalloid solution.
Is sodium chloride + succinylated gelatin a blood transfusion?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.