Hetastarch/sodium chloride (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 11, 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.

Hetastarch/sodium chloride Intravenous