Hetastarch/sodium chloride Intravenous Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Hetastarch/sodium chloride (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 12, 2022.

Intravenous route(Solution)

Warning: Mortality; Kidney Injury; CoagulopathyUse of hydroxyethylstarch (HES) products, including hetastarch/sodium chloride, increases risk of mortality, kidney injury, and coagulopathy. Do not use hydroxyethylstarch (HES) products, including hetastarch/sodium chloride, unless adequate alternative treatment is unavailable .

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Hespan

Available Dosage Forms:

- Solution

Therapeutic Class: Volume Expander

Chemical Class: Hydroxyethyl Starch

## Uses for hetastarch/sodium chloride

Hespan® injection is used to treat low blood volume (hypovolemia) when other treatment is not available. It is also used in a procedure called leukapheresis.

Hetastarch/sodium chloride is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

## Before using hetastarch/sodium chloride

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For hetastarch/sodium chloride, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to hetastarch/sodium chloride or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of Hespan® injection have not been performed in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

### Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of Hespan® injection in geriatric patients.

### Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of hetastarch/sodium chloride. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Allergy to corn starch or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

- Heart bypass—Use in not recommended in patients undergoing this surgery.

- Infection (eg, sepsis), severe or
- Surgery or
- Trauma—Use with caution. May increase the risk for serious kidney problems.

## Proper use of hetastarch/sodium chloride

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you hetastarch/sodium chloride in a medical facility. It is given as a needle placed into one of your veins.

Detailed Hetastarch dosage information

## Precautions while using hetastarch/sodium chloride

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while receiving the medicine to make sure it is working properly. Blood and urine tests are needed to check for unwanted effects.

Call your doctor right away if you have bloody or cloudy urine, difficult or painful urination, sudden increase or decrease in the amount of urine, or swelling of the face, feet, or lower legs. These may be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, headache, dizziness, or weakness, pain, swelling, or discomfort in a joint, pinpoint red spots on your skin, unusual nosebleeds, or any unusual bleeding or bruising.

Hetastarch/sodium chloride may cause a serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving hetastarch/sodium chloride.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

## Hetastarch/sodium chloride side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

- Bloody or cloudy urine
- blue lips and fingernails
- blurred vision
- chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
- confusion
- cough
- coughing that sometime produces a pink frothy sputum
- decreased urine output
- difficult or painful urination
- difficulty swallowing
- dilated neck veins
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- drowsiness
- fainting
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- fever
- hives, itching, skin rash
- increased sweating
- large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- muscle tremors
- nausea
- noisy breathing
- no blood pressure or pulse
- pale skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rapid shallow breathing
- restlessness
- sneezing
- stomach cramps
- stopping of the heart
- sudden increase or decrease in the amount of urine
- sweating
- swelling around the eyes
- swelling in the legs and ankles
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- unconsciousness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

- Chills
- diarrhea
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- joint pain
- muscle aches and pains
- runny nose
- shivering
- sore throat
- tingling of the feet
- trouble sleeping
- unusual weight gain or loss
- vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Hetastarch side effects (more detail)

## More about hetastarch

- Pricing & coupons
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: plasma expanders
- En español

### Patient resources

- Drug Information
- Calcium chloride/dextrose/hetastarch/magnesium chloride/potassium chloride/sodium chloride/sodium lactate Intravenous (Advanced Reading)

#### Other brands

Hextend, Hespan

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Blood Disorders
- Hypovolemia

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer