Human albumin is a purified protein derived from human plasma, used intravenously to expand blood plasma volume and correct low blood protein (albumin) levels. It belongs to a class of medicines called plasma volume expanders/colloid solutions, used in conditions like shock, burns, cirrhosis-related fluid removal, and certain kidney conditions. It is a prescription-only, hospital-administered medicine.

• Therapeutic Class: Plasma volume expander / blood product.

• Pharmacological Class: Human plasma-derived protein (colloid).

• Drug Family: Plasma protein fractions.

• ATC Classification: B05AA01 (Albumin).

Approved: Hypovolemia (low blood volume) and shock; hypoalbuminemia (low blood albumin) with or without edema, including in nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis with ascites; prevention of central volume depletion after large-volume paracentesis in cirrhotic ascites; adjunct in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery; and fluid management in burns and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Commonly used for: Critically ill or actively bleeding patients with low albumin, patients undergoing large-volume fluid removal from the abdomen, burn patients, and certain surgical/dialysis situations.

Off-label use (only under medical guidance): Sometimes used in other fluid-management situations under specialist/critical care guidance.

● Intravenous solution: 5% (used for volume expansion in hypovolemic/intravascularly-depleted patients), 20%, and 25% (used where fluid/sodium intake is restricted or oncotic pressure correction is needed).

Albumin is the main protein responsible for maintaining the colloid osmotic (oncotic) pressure of blood plasma — the force that keeps fluid within blood vessels rather than leaking into tissues. Infusing human albumin restores this oncotic pressure, drawing fluid back into the bloodstream to expand plasma volume, and also helps correct low blood protein levels in conditions where the body's own albumin production or retention is impaired.

• Standard dose (hypoalbuminemia, 25% solution): 50-75 g intravenously in adults, with total body albumin deficit considered when calculating the dose needed.

• Condition-wise dose (paracentesis-related ascites): Approximately 8 g intravenously for every 1,000 mL of ascitic fluid removed.

• Condition-wise dose (burns): Large volumes of crystalloid fluid are typically given first for the initial 24 hours, with 25% albumin added afterward at an initial dose around 25 g, adjusted to maintain target plasma protein levels.

• Route: Intravenous infusion only, administered by a healthcare professional; the rate of infusion is adjusted based on the patient's fluid status to avoid too-rapid plasma volume expansion.

• Missed dose: Not applicable — this is a hospital-administered, clinician-timed treatment rather than a self-dosed medicine.

• Overdose: Can cause fluid overload (hypervolemia), including pulmonary edema, particularly in patients with limited cardiac reserve; requires urgent medical attention.

• Common: Chills, fever, and mild allergic-type reactions during infusion.

• Serious: Fluid overload (hypervolemia) leading to pulmonary edema or heart strain, and rare but serious allergic/anaphylactic reactions.

• Emergency symptoms: Difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat, dizziness or feeling faint, a drop in blood pressure, or severe skin itching with a red rash or raised bumps.

• Recovery advice: Infusion rate and volume are carefully monitored by the treating team to reduce the risk of fluid overload, particularly in patients with heart or kidney conditions.

• Pregnancy: Used when clearly needed, under medical supervision.

• Breastfeeding: Used with medical guidance; specific safety data are limited.

• Liver disease: One of its established uses (cirrhosis-related ascites management); used with monitoring.

• Kidney disease: Used with caution, particularly in patients with reduced urine output or at risk of fluid overload.

• Elderly: Used with particular caution given a higher likelihood of reduced cardiac reserve in this age group.

• Children: Used under specialist guidance based on the clinical situation, with dosing adjusted for body size.

● Other intravenous fluids and blood products: albumin infusion is often coordinated with crystalloid fluids or packed red blood cells as part of an overall fluid management plan, particularly in shock or major blood loss.

● Diuretics: often used together in conditions like nephrotic syndrome or ARDS, where albumin helps reinforce the effect of diuretics that is otherwise reduced by low albumin levels.

● Medicines requiring albumin binding: albumin infusion may theoretically affect the free (unbound) levels of certain highly protein-bound drugs, though this is not typically a major clinical concern in short-term use.

● Blood pressure and signs of fluid overload (breathing difficulty, swelling) during and after infusion.

● Serum albumin and total protein levels to guide dosing.

● Hematocrit and blood pressure monitoring in shock/hypovolemia treatment to assess response.

● Kidney and heart function monitoring in patients at higher risk of fluid overload.

Crystalloid fluids (e.g., normal saline, balanced salt solutions), other colloid solutions (e.g., hydroxyethyl starch, though used with more caution due to safety concerns in certain settings) — chosen based on the clinical situation.

Often used alongside crystalloid fluids, diuretics, or blood products as part of a broader fluid and hemodynamic management plan, rather than as a standalone therapy.

● Plasma Volume Expanders

● Critical Care / Shock Management

● Cirrhosis & Ascites Supportive Care

1. What Are the Causes of Kidney Failure?

2. Facts About Stages Of Kidney Failure

3. 10 Quick Tips To Avoid Kidney Failure

1. https://www.drugs.com/pro/albumin-human-20.html

2. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a912d27c-00cb-2ed0-effe-2d88d1f2ca67

The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your doctor to know if this treatment is appropriate for your condition.