Hextend Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com
What is Hextend?
Hextend (hydroxyethyl starch) is made from natural sources of starch. This medicine increases the volume of blood plasma that can be lost from bleeding or severe injury. Plasma is needed to circulate red blood cells that deliver oxygen throughout the body.
Hextend is used to treat or prevent hypovolemia (decreased blood plasma volume, also called "shock") that may occur as a result of serious injury, surgery, severe blood loss, burns, or other trauma.
Hextend may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Hextend 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.
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to Hextend, or if you have:
If possible before you receive Hextend, tell your doctor if you have:
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Hextend will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
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 Hextend.
How is Hextend given?
Hextend 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 Hextend. Your blood will also need to be tested daily during treatment.
Detailed Hextend dosage information
Because you will receive Hextend in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.
Since Hextend is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid after receiving Hextend?
Hextend side effects
Hextend side effects (more detail)
What other drugs will affect Hextend?
Does Hextend interact with my other drugs?
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