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Drug Details

HAEMACCEL

• Drug Class Description
  Gelatin Derivative
• Generic Name
  Polygeline
• Presentation
  Haemaccel contains 35g Polygeline as active ingredient in 1000mL
• Description
  Solution for infusion
• Indications
  

  1. As a plasma volume substitute in the initial treatment of hypovolaemic shock due to:

  a) Haemorrhage (visible or concealed) b) Bums, peritonitis, pancreatitis, crush injuries

  2. Fluid replacement in plasma exchange

  3. Extra-corporeal circulation

  4. Isolated organ perfusion

  5. As a carrier solution for insulin

• Adult Dosage
  

  Route of Administration: Intravenous infusion: Haemaccel should be administered intravenously in a volume approximately equal to the estimated blood loss.

  Infusion rate: The rate of infusion is determined by the condition of the patient. Normally, 500 ml will be infused in not less than 60 minutes but in emergencies Haemaccel can be rapidly infused. Losses of up to 25 % of the blood volume can be replaced by Haemaccel alone.

  Hypovolaemic shock: 500 -1,000 ml Haemaccel should be infused intravenously initially. Up to 1,500 ml blood loss can be replaced entirely by Haemaccel. For between 1,500 ml and 4,000 ml blood loss, fluid replacement should be with equal volumes of Haemaccel and blood given separately. For losses over 4,000 ml, the separate infusion should be in the ratio of two parts blood to one part Haemaccel. The Haematocrit should not be allowed to fall below 25 %. Bums: It is suggested that at least 1 ml Haemaccel be infused per kg of body weight. Multiplied by the % of body surface burned for each 24 hours for two days, e.g. if a 70 kg person has burns covering 10 % of body surface, then the dosage of Haemaccel should be at least 1 (ml) x 70 (kg) x 10 (%) = 700 m1/24 hours.

  Additional crystalloid solutions should be given to cover the normal fluid loss, i.e. about 2,000 ml per 24 hours. In severe bums additional protein and vitamin therapy may be required. The volume of colloid and crystalloid given should be varied according to the clinical response of the patient, the urine volume, its specific gravity and osmolality etc.

  Plasmaexchange: Haemaccel should be given either alone or in combination with other replacement fluids in a volume adequate to replace the plasma removed. Up to 2 litres have been given as sole replacement fluid.

• Contra Indications
  

  Haemaccel is contra-indicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to constituents of the preparation and/or patients with existing anaphylactoid reactions

• Special Precautions
  

  In the following cases, Haemaccel is indicated to a restricted extent only; if the physician considers the infusion necessary, it should be given taking special precautions.

  All conditions in which an increase in intravascular volume and its consequences (e.g. increased stroke volume, elevated blood pressure), or an increase in interstitial fluid volume, or haemodilution could represent a special risk for the patient. Examples of such conditions are: congestive heart failure, hypertension, oesophageal varices, pulmonary oedema, haemorrhagic diathesis, renal and post-renal anuria. In all patients at an increased risk of histamine release (e.g. allergic persons and patients with a history of histamine response; also patients who in the previous 7 days have received a drug which releases histamine). In the latter cases, Haemaccel may be given only after taking appropriate prophylactic steps.

  Reactions caused by histamine release can be avoided by the prophylactic use of HI and Hz receptor antagonists. Inappropriate rapid administration of Haemaccel, especially to normovolaemic patients may cause the release of vasoactive substances. The exact mechanism of ths histamine release has not been clearly defined.

• Interactions
  

  Haemaccel contains calcium ions and caution should be observed in patients being treated with cardiac glycosides. Haemaccel may be mixed with other infusion solutions (e.g. saline, dextrose, finger's solution etc.) or with heparinised blood.

  Sterility must be maintained. Compatible water-soluble drugs may be infused in Haemaccel, e.g. insulin, streptolunase etc. Any additive should be injected into the bottle through a small hole located next to the pull-ring. Pregnancy and lactation: Haemorrhage around the time of childbirth or blood loss during other obstetric or gynaecological procedures may necessitate plasma volume replacement.

  Haemaccel has been used for many years for the initial treatment in such cases without apparent ill consequence. If plasma volume replacement is needed during pregnancy, Haemaccel may be used if blood is not available.

• Adverse Drug Reactions
  

  During or after the infusion of volume-expanding solutions, transient urticaria1 skin reactions (wheals), hypotension, tachycardia, bradycardia, nauseaJvomiting, dyspnoea, increases in temperature and/or shvering may occasionally occur. Rare cases of severe hypersensitivity reactions including shock have been observed.

  Treatment will depend on the nature and severity of the reaction. Mild reactions: administer corticosteroids and antihistamines. In the event of anaphylactic shock, the infusion should be discontinued and adrenalin (5-10 ml of 1 :10,000 by slow i.v. injection or 0.5 -1.0 ml of 1 :1,000 by i.m./s.c. injection) should immediately be given. Administration of adrenalin should be repeated every 15 minutes until improvement occurs. Circulatory collapse requires volume replacement, preferably monitored by a central venous pressure line. Large volumes of electrolyte solution may be necessary because, in severe anaphylactic shock, plasma loss may constitute up to 40 % of the plasma volume.

  A slow i.v. injection of an H1 antagonist such as 10 - 20 mg chlorpheniramine may be given. Histamine release has been shown to be a cause of anaphylactic side-effects associated with infusions of Haemaccel. These reactions may occur as a result of the cumulative effect of several histamine-releasing drugs (e.g. anaesthetics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, ganglia blockers and anticholinergic drugs).

  Due to the calcium content of Haemaccel, the serum calcium concentrations may be found to be slightly elevated for a temporary period especially when large amounts of Haemaccel are administered by rapid infusion. So far, no reports have been received of cases involving clinical signs of hypercalcaemia resulting from an infusion of Haemaccel. The infusion of Haemaccel may result in a temporary increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.