Dextran 40 Injection with Sodium Chloride

• Type: Plasma volume expander

• Components:

  • Dextran 40: A low-molecular-weight polysaccharide that expands plasma volume

  • Sodium Chloride: Provides electrolytes and maintains fluid balance

• Form: Sterile solution for intravenous (IV) infusion

How It Works

• Dextran 40 increases the colloid osmotic pressure in the blood, pulling fluid from the tissues into the bloodstream.

• This leads to rapid expansion of blood volume, improving circulation and blood pressure.

• Sodium Chloride maintains the isotonicity of the solution and helps restore electrolyte balance.

Common Uses

Dextran 40 with sodium chloride is used in situations where restoring or maintaining blood volume is critical:

• Treatment of hypovolemia (low blood volume) due to blood loss, burns, trauma, or surgery

• Prevention and treatment of shock (circulatory collapse)

• Improving blood flow in microcirculation (reduces blood viscosity, improves tissue perfusion)

• During extracorporeal circulation (e.g., in open-heart surgery)

Advantages

• Provides rapid plasma expansion

• Improves microcirculation by reducing blood viscosity

• Helps prevent clot formation (dextran has mild antithrombotic properties)

• Maintains adequate blood pressure and organ perfusion in emergencies

Possible Side Effects

• Allergic reactions (mild rash to severe anaphylactoid reactions – rare but possible)

• Volume overload (fluid retention, especially in heart or kidney failure patients)

• Interference with blood crossmatching (may coat red blood cells)

• Increased bleeding tendency (due to platelet function inhibition)

• Nausea, vomiting, or fever in some cases

Precautions

• Should be used cautiously in patients with heart failure, kidney failure, or bleeding disorders

• Monitor for allergic reactions during infusion

• Blood pressure, urine output, and electrolytes should be closely observed

• Avoid excessive doses to prevent fluid overload

• Use with caution in patients needing blood transfusion — may affect blood typing/crossmatch