In this section
This document guides how to prescribe, administer and manage paediatric patients receiving intravenous albumin at the RCH.
Albumin comes in two concentrations: Alburex®5 (5%) and Alburex®20 (20%).
*Alburex 20% is both hyper-oncotic and hypo-osmotic compared with Albumex 20% (only hyper-oncotic). Therefore, there is higher risk of acute fluid shifts between physiological compartments.
Additional details on comparisons between Alburex 20% and Albumex 20%.
* Caution – too rapid administration can result in vascular overload.
* Albumin may be prescribed as a bolus dose or a continuous infusion (in this instance it should be prescribed as a regular administration (e.g., every 6 hours)
- Albumin does not contain any antimicrobial preservative. The manufacturer recommends that each bottle be used immediately after opening.
- At RCH we allow the product to be administered within 6 hours of piercing the bottle.
- Do not mix with any medications.
- Albumin may be infused with red cells and ABO compatible plasma.
Carefully monitor the patient for circulatory overload, especially in relation to Alburex 20% due to the colloid osmotic effect. Minimum observations include: