Hespan

Hespan (hydroxyethyl starch) comes from natural starch sources. This medicine helps increase the amount of blood plasma that can be lost due to bleeding or serious injury. Plasma is essential for moving red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body.

Hespan is used to treat or prevent hypovolemia (which is a decrease in blood plasma volume, also known as "shock") that may happen because of serious injury, surgery, severe blood loss, burns, or other trauma.

Hespan may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not receive this medication if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or urination problems not caused by hypovolemia (decreased blood plasma volume).

Hespan can harm your kidneys. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of kidney damage: swelling, rapid weight gain, unusual tiredness, nausea, vomiting, feeling short of breath, red or pink urine, painful or difficult urination, or little or no urinating.

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

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• kidney disease;
• congestive heart failure; or
• urination problems not caused by hypovolemia (decreased blood plasma volume).

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

• liver disease;
• a history of heart disease; or
• if you are allergic to corn.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Hespan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether hetastarch 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 about your health conditions, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received Hespan.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

• wheezing or gasping for breath, rapid breathing, sweating, and anxiety;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• weak pulse, slow breathing;
• chest pain, fever, chills, cough; or
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or any bleeding that will not stop.

Rare but serious side effects may include:

• severe headache, vision or speech problems, mental changes;
• drooping eyelids, loss of feeling in your face, tremors, trouble swallowing; or
• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Hespan can harm your kidneys. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms of kidney damage: swelling, rapid weight gain, unusual tiredness, nausea, vomiting, feeling short of breath, red or pink urine, painful or difficult urination, or little or no urinating.

Common side effects of Hespan may include:

• mild itching or skin rash;
• mild headache;
• muscle pain; or
• swollen glands, mild flu symptoms.

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

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

Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, kidney function, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving Hespan. Your blood will also need to be tested daily during treatment.

Because you will receive Hespan in a clinical setting, it is unlikely that you will miss a dose.

Since Hespan is administered by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, the chance of an overdose is low.

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

Other drugs may interact with hetastarch, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform each of your health care providers about all medicines you are currently using and any medicines you begin or stop using.