Albumin

Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate® 25% is a sterile, nonpyrogenic preparation of albumin in a single dosage form for intravenous administration. Each 100 mL contains 25 g of albumin and was prepared from human venous plasma using the Cohn cold ethanol fractionation process. Source material for fractionation may be obtained from another U.S. licensed manufacturer. It has been adjusted to physiological pH with sodium bicarbonate and/or sodium hydroxide and stabilized with 0.02 M sodium acetyltryptophanate and 0.02 M sodium caprylate. The sodium content is 145 ± 15 mEq/L. This solution contains no preservative and none of the coagulation factors found in fresh whole blood or plasma. Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% is a transparent or slightly opalescent solution which may have a greenish tint or may vary from a pale straw to an amber color.

The likelihood of the presence of viable hepatitis viruses has been minimized by heating the product for 10 hours at 60°C. This procedure has been shown to be an effective method of inactivating hepatitis virus in albumin solutions even when those solutions were prepared from plasma known to be infective. ^1-3

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Albumin is responsible for 70-80% of the colloid osmotic pressure of normal plasma, thus making it useful in regulating the volume of circulating blood. ^4-6 Albumin is also a transport protein and binds naturally occurring, therapeutic and toxic materials in the circulation. ^5,6

Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% is osmotically equivalent to approximately five times its volume of human plasma. When injected intravenously, 25% albumin will draw about 3.5 times its volume of additional fluid into the circulation within 15 minutes, except when the patient is markedly dehydrated. This extra fluid reduces hemoconcentration and blood viscosity. The degree and duration of volume expansion depends upon the initial blood volume. With patients treated for diminished blood volume, the effect of infused albumin may persist for many hours; however, in patients with normal volume, the duration will be shorter. ^7,8

Total body albumin is estimated to be 350 g for a 70 kg man and is distributed throughout the extracellular compartments; more than 60% is located in the extravascular fluid compartment. The half-life of albumin is 15 to 20 days with a turnover of approximately 15 g per day. ⁵

The minimum plasma albumin level necessary to prevent or reverse peripheral edema is unknown. Some investigators recommend that plasma albumin levels be maintained at approximately 2.5 g/dL. This concentration provides a plasma oncotic value of 20 mm Hg. ⁴

INDICATIONS

1. Hypovolemia
   Hypovolemia is a possible indication for Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25%. Its effectiveness in reversing hypovolemia depends largely upon its ability to draw interstitial fluid into the circulation. It is most effective with patients who are well hydrated.
   When hypovolemia is long standing and hypoalbuminemia exists accompanied by adequate hydration or edema, 25% albumin is preferable to 5% protein solutions. ^4,6 However, in the absence of adequate or excessive hydration, 5% protein solutions should be used or 25% albumin should be diluted with crystalloid.
   Although crystalloid solutions and colloid-containing plasma substitutes can be used in emergency treatment of shock, Albumin (Human) has a prolonged intravascular half-life. ⁹ When blood volume deficit is the result of hemorrhage, compatible red blood cells or whole blood should be administered as quickly as possible.
2. Hypoalbuminemia
   
   1. General
      Hypoalbuminemia is another possible indication for use of Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25%. Hypoalbuminemia can result from one or more of the following: ⁵
      
      1. Inadequate production (malnutrition, burns, major injury, infections, etc.)
      2. Excessive catabolism (burns, major injury, pancreatitis, etc.)
      3. Loss from the body (hemorrhage, excessive renal excretion, burn exudates, etc.)
      4. Redistribution within the body (major surgery, various inflammatory conditions, etc.)
      
      When albumin deficit is the result of excessive protein loss, the effect of administration of albumin will be temporary unless the underlying disorder is reversed. In most cases, increased nutritional replacement of amino acids and/or protein with concurrent treatment of the underlying disorder will restore normal plasma albumin levels more effectively than albumin solutions. Occasionally hypoalbuminemia accompanying severe injuries, infections or pancreatitis cannot be quickly reversed and nutritional supplements may fail to restore serum albumin levels. In these cases, Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% might be a useful therapeutic adjunct.
   2. Burns
      An optimum regimen for the use of albumin, electrolytes and fluid in the early treatment of burns has not been established, however, in conjunction with appropriate crystalloid therapy, Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% may be indicated for treatment of oncotic deficits after the initial 24 hour period following extensive burns and to replace the protein loss which accompanies any severe burn. ^4,6
   3. Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
      A characteristic of ARDS is a hypoproteinemic state which may be causally related to the interstitial pulmonary edema. Although uncertainty exists concerning the precise indication of albumin infusion in these patients, if there is a pulmonary overload accompanied by hypoalbuminemia, 25% albumin solution may have a therapeutic effect when used with a diuretic. ⁴
   4. Nephrosis
      Albumin (Human), 25% Solution may be a useful aid in treating edema in patients with severe nephrosis who are receiving steroids and/or diuretics.
3. Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery
   Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% has been recommended prior to or during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, although no clear data exist indicating its advantage over crystalloid solutions. ^4,6,10
4. Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)
   Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% may be administered in an attempt to bind and detoxify unconjugated bilirubin in infants with severe HDN.

There is no valid reason for use of albumin as an intravenous nutrient.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% must be administered intravenously.

This solution may be administered in conjunction with or combined with other parenterals such as whole blood, plasma, saline, glucose or sodium lactate. The addition of four volumes of normal saline or 5% glucose to 1 volume of Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% gives a solution which is approximately isotonic and isosmotic with citrated plasma.

Albumin solutions should not be mixed with protein hydrolysates or solutions containing alcohol.

Recommended Dosages

1. Hypovolemic Shock
   The dosage of Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% must be individualized. As a guideline, the initial treatment should be in the range of 100 to 200 mL for adults and 2.5 to 5 mL per kilogram body weight for children. This may be repeated after 15 to 30 minutes, if the response is not adequate. For patients with significant plasma volume deficits, albumin replacement is best administered in the form of 5% Albumin (Human).
   Upon administration of additional albumin or if hemorrhage has occurred, hemodilution and a relative anemia will follow. This condition should be controlled by the supplemental administration of compatible red blood cells or compatible whole blood.
2. Burns
   The optimal therapeutic regimen for administration of crystalloid and colloid solutions after extensive burns has not been established. When Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% is administered after the first 24 hours following burns, the dose should be determined according to the patient's condition and response to treatment.
3. Hypoalbuminemia
   Hypoalbuminemia is usually accompanied by a hidden extravascular albumin deficiency of equal magnitude. This total body albumin deficit must be considered when determining the amount of albumin necessary to reverse the hypoalbuminemia. When using patient's serum albumin concentration to estimate the deficit, the body albumin compartment should be calculated to be 80 to 100 mL per kg of body weight. ^5,6 Daily dose should not exceed 2 g of albumin per kilogram of body weight.
4. Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
   Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% may be administered prior to or during exchange transfusion in a dose of 1 g per kilogram body weight. ¹¹

Preparation for Administration

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

1. Remove cap from bottle to expose center portion of rubber stopper.
2. Clean stopper with germicidal solution.

Administration

Follow directions for use printed on the administration set container. Make certain that the administration set contains an adequate filter.

  HOW SUPPLIED

Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% is supplied in 20 mL, 50 mL and 100 mL bottles

Storage

Store Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% at room temperature, not to exceed 30°C (86°F). Avoid freezing to prevent damage to the bottle.

REFERENCES

1. Gellis SS, Neefe JR, Stokes J Jr, et al: Chemical, clinical and immunological studies on the products of human plasma fractionation. XXXVI. Inactivation of the virus of homologous serum hepatitis in solutions of normal human serum albumin by means of heat. J Clin Invest 27: 239-244, 1948
2. Gerety RJ, Aronson DL: Plasma derivatives and viral hepatitis. Transfusion 22: 347-351, 1982
3. Murray R, Diefenbach WCL, Geller H, et al: Problem of reducing danger of serum hepatitis from blood and blood products. NY State J Med 55: 1145-1150, 1955
4. Tullis JL: Albumin, 1. Background and use, and 2. Guidelines for clinical use. JAMA 237: 355-360, 460-463, 1977
5. Peters T Jr: Serum albumin, in The Plasma Proteins, 2nd ed, Vol 1. Putnam FW (ed). New York, Academic Press, 1975, pp 133-181
6. Finlayson JS: Albumin products. Semin Thromb Hemostas 6: 85-120, 1980
7. Janeway CA, Berenberg W, Hutchins G: Indications and uses of blood, blood derivatives and blood substitutes. Med Clin N Amer 29: 1069-1094, 1945
8. Janeway CA, Gibson ST, Woodruff LM, et al: Chemical, clinical and immunological studies on the products of human plasma fractionation. VII. Concentrated human serum albumin. J Clin Invest 23: 465-490, 1944
9. Shoemaker WC, Schluchter M, Hopkins JA, et al: Comparison of the relative effectiveness of colloids and crystalloids in emergency resuscitation. Am J Surg 142: 73-83, 1981
10. Lowenstein E, Hallowell P, Bland JHL: Use of colloid and crystalloid solutions in open heart surgery: Physiological basis and clinical results, in Proceedings of the Workshop on Albumin. Sgouris JT, Rene A (eds). DHEW Publication No. (NIH) 76-925, Washington, DC, US Government Printing Office 1976, pp 195-210
11. Tsao YC, Yu VYH; Albumin in management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. Arch Dis Childhood 47: 250-256, 1972

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SIDE EFFECTS

Untoward reactions to Albumin (Human), 25% Solution are extremely rare, although nausea, fever, chills or urticaria may occasionally occur. Such symptoms usually disappear when the infusion is slowed or stopped for a short period of time.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

No Information Provided.

WARNINGS

Do not use if turbid. Do not begin administration more than 4 hours after the container has been entered. Discard unused portion.

PRECAUTIONS

Certain components used in the packaging of this product contain natural rubber latex.

Albumin (Human), 25% Solution, Buminate 25% must be administered intravenously at a rate not to exceed 1 mL/min to patients with normal blood volume. More rapid administration might cause circulatory overload and pulmonary edema.

A rise in blood pressure after 25% albumin infusion necessitates careful observation of the injured or post-operative patient in order to detect and treat severed blood vessels that may not have bled at a lower blood pressure.

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Albumin (Human), 25% Solution. It is not known whether Albumin (Human), 25% Solution can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. Albumin (Human) 25% Solution should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Pediatric Use

The use of Albumin (Human), 25% Solution in children has not been associated with any special or specific hazard, if the dose is appropriate for the child's body weight.