Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose (high molecular weight)

High-molecular weight Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose is a plasma volume expander made from natural sources of sugar (glucose). It helps restore blood plasma lost due to severe bleeding. Severe blood loss can lower oxygen levels and can lead to organ failure, brain damage, coma, and possibly death. Plasma is necessary to circulate red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.

Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose is used to treat hypovolemia (decreased volume of circulating blood plasma), which can happen due to surgery, trauma or injury, severe burns, or other causes of bleeding.

Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose, or if you have

• severe kidney disease
• severe congestive heart failure; or
• uncontrolled bleeding.

If possible before you receive Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose, 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 inform 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 70 6% in 5% Dextrose 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 inform 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.

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 closely monitored while you are receiving high-molecular weight Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose. Your blood will also need to be tested daily during treatment, and you may also need chest x-rays.

Get emergency medical help if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction: hives or skin rash; stuffy nose, wheezing, chest tightness; feeling faint; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregiver immediately if you experience:

• weak or shallow breathing; or
• feeling light-headed, as if you might faint.

Common side effects of Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• joint pain;
• fever; or
• pain, swelling, or bruising along the vein where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Because you will receive Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose in a clinical setting, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

Since a healthcare professional gives this medication in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen.

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you are using, and those you begin or stop using during your treatment with high-molecular weight Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose, especially:

• medicines used to prevent blood clots, such as dabigatran, dalteparin, enoxaparin, fondaparinux, tinzaparin, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with high molecular weight dextran, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.