Gelatin Polysuccinate
About Gelatin Polysuccinate
Gelatin Polysuccinate is a sterile fluid given directly into a vein to restore circulating blood volume in patients who have experienced significant blood or fluid loss. It is commonly used to treat or prevent circulatory shock caused by severe bleeding, trauma, major surgery, or extensive burns. By replenishing the liquid inside your blood vessels, it helps maintain stable blood pressure and ensures that your vital organs continue to receive a steady supply of oxygen.
Because this medication is used for acute fluid replacement, it is given only in a hospital or clinical setting by a healthcare professional as needed. The frequency and duration of your treatment depend entirely on your specific clinical condition and how much fluid your body requires. Since it is injected directly into your bloodstream, there are no specific dietary or lifestyle preparations needed beforehand, though your healthcare team will guide you on your recovery diet afterwards.
While many patients receive Gelatin Polysuccinate without major issues, some may experience mild side effects, such as temporary skin flushing, chills, or a mild fever. If you notice any unusual symptoms during your infusion, especially signs of a serious allergic reaction, you must tell your medical team immediately. They are trained to manage these symptoms and can adjust or stop the fluid if necessary.
Before receiving this medication, it is important to discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider, particularly if you suffer from severe heart failure, kidney disease, or fluid retention. Do not receive this medicine if you have a known allergy to gelatin or any other ingredients in the solution. Your clinical team will evaluate your health status to ensure this fluid is safe for you.
This infusion may interact with certain medications, particularly those that affect blood clotting or your body's fluid balance. Always inform your doctor about any prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, or herbal supplements you are taking. Additionally, consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for an elderly patient, as fluid therapy requires careful monitoring in these groups.
Uses of Gelatin Polysuccinate
Medicinal Benefits
Gelatin Polysuccinate provides support for maintaining blood volume and circulation during significant fluid or blood loss. The key benefits of Gelatin Polysuccinate include:
- Stabilises Blood Pressure: By rapidly expanding the volume of fluid in your circulatory system, Gelatin Polysuccinate helps stabilise your blood pressure and prevents vital organs from failing due to a lack of blood flow.
- Supports Recovery: It supports a faster recovery from severe dehydration, trauma, or major surgery by maintaining critical oxygen and nutrient delivery to your body's tissues.
- Provides Steady Circulatory Support: Because this solution stays inside your blood vessels longer than standard salt-water fluids, it provides steady and reliable support to your heart and circulation during critical recovery periods.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Gelatin Polysuccinate will be administered by a healthcare professional.
- Do not self-administer it.
Storage
Side Effects of Gelatin Polysuccinate
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Mild skin flushing or redness
- Slight rise in body temperature or mild fever
- Shivering or chills
- Nausea
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing)
- Sudden shortness of breath or rapid breathing, which may point to fluid overload
- Unusually fast or irregular heartbeat
- Severe dizziness or feeling like you might pass out
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the fluid: Always inspect the solution before use. The fluid must be completely clear and free of particles. Do not use if the bag is leaking or the fluid looks cloudy.
- Rotate injection sites: If you require multiple or prolonged infusions, make sure your healthcare provider rotates the injection site to prevent vein irritation.
- Report insertion site pain: Tell your nurse or doctor immediately if you feel pain, burning, redness, or swelling around the needle or IV tube insertion site.
- Monitor sodium intake: Inform your healthcare team if you are on a restricted-sodium diet, as this fluid contains sodium.
- Keep medical staff informed: Ensure your healthcare provider is aware of any history of bleeding disorders or severe allergies before the infusion starts; gelatin-based colloids carry a higher rate of allergic (anaphylactoid) reactions compared to standard salt solutions (crystalloids), making a pre-infusion allergy assessment essential.
Drug Interactions
- Water pills (diuretics): May interact with Gelatin Polysuccinate by altering how your kidneys process and eliminate fluids and salts.
- Medications that affect blood clotting: Receiving high volumes of this infusion can temporarily dilute your blood's clotting factors, which may increase the risk of bleeding if taken with blood thinners.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown if alcohol interacts with Gelatin Polysuccinate. Please consult the doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionGelatin polysuccinate belongs to pregnancy category C. It should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Gelatin polysuccinate passes into breast milk. Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
consult your doctorIt is not known if Gelatin Polysuccinate affects your ability to drive. Drive and operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history of liver impairment, inform the doctor before receiving Gelatin Polysuccinate. Special caution and careful dose adjustment may be needed in patients with chronic liver disease.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a history of kidney impairment, inform the doctor before receiving Gelatin Polysuccinate. Special caution and careful dose adjustment may be needed in patients with renal insufficiency. It may not be recommended in patients with severe renal insufficiency.
Children
cautionSufficient experience in children below 1 year is not available. Please consult the doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Gelatin Polysuccinate in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow fluid guidelines: Drink fluids only as directed by your healthcare provider once you are cleared to take liquids by mouth.
- Prioritise rest: Give your body plenty of time to rest and avoid strenuous physical activities until your doctor says it is safe.
- Monitor salt intake: Your doctor may recommend specific dietary adjustments, such as monitoring your sodium intake, to help maintain a healthy fluid balance during your recovery.
- Watch for swelling: Keep an eye out for any swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet, and report these changes to your care team.
Special Advise
Gelatin Polysuccinate may affect certain lab tests such as unspecific plasma protein assays, erythrocyte sedimentation rate or specific gravity of urine. If you are undergoing any tests, inform the doctor that you are on treatment with Gelatin Polysuccinate.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypovolemia: Hypovolemia, also called volume depletion, is a condition in which the plasma (liquid portion of the blood) is too low. Excessive bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhoea could be the causes of hypovolemia. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and fainting.
Shock: Shock occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow, due to which the cells and organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly. This may result in organ damage. It is a life-threatening condition which requires immediate treatment.
Hypotension: Hypotension, also known as low blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood pressure is much lower than normal. This may cause dizziness or fainting because the brain does not receive enough blood.
Acute normovolemic hemodilution: It is a blood conservation technique in which the whole blood from the patient’s body is removed after induction of anaesthesia, with maintenance of normal blood volume using colloid replacement fluid and/or crystalloid.
Extracorporeal circulation: It is a procedure in which blood is taken from a patient’s circulation to have a process applied to it before it is returned to circulation.
FAQs
Gelatin Polysuccinate is used to treat Hypovolemia, shock, hypotension, acute normovolemic hemodilution and extracorporeal circulation.
Gelatin Polysuccinate provides an efficient and reliable volume effect. It provides appropriate and reliable hemodynamic stabilisation.
Gelatin Polysuccinate may not be recommended for patients with severe cardiac insufficiency. Inform the doctor if you have severe cardiac insufficiency before receiving Gelatin Polysuccinate.
Inform the doctor if you have blood coagulation disorders, as special caution and careful dose adjustment may be needed in such patients.
No, Gelatin Polysuccinate does not carry oxygen as red blood cells do. It is a plasma volume substitute used to restore fluid volume in the blood vessels, not to replace oxygen-carrying components. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about blood transfusions.
Gelatin Polysuccinate typically provides active volume expansion in your bloodstream for approximately 2 to 3 hours (its intravascular duration) before it is broken down and naturally excreted by your kidneys. Talk to your doctor for more details.
No, Gelatin Polysuccinate must be injected directly into a vein by a trained healthcare professional in a hospital or clinical setting where your vital signs can be closely monitored. Talk to your doctor about your treatment setting.
Yes, although rare, some people may experience allergic reactions to the gelatin components in Gelatin Polysuccinate. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you experience itching, hives, or breathing difficulties during your treatment. Talk to your doctor to learn more.
Yes, Gelatin Polysuccinate is derived from gelatin, which is an animal-sourced protein. If you have dietary, cultural, or religious restrictions regarding animal products, please discuss this with your medical team. Talk to your doctor for alternative options.
A: Gelatin Polysuccinate is typically used in emergency situations where the clinical benefits highly outweigh the potential risks. However, its safety during pregnancy must be carefully evaluated by your doctor. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
In patients with healthy kidneys, Gelatin Polysuccinate is generally processed safely. However, if you have pre-existing kidney problems, close monitoring is required to prevent strain on your kidneys. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your kidney health.
Because Gelatin Polysuccinate is given in a hospital or clinic for severe fluid loss, you should not drive until your doctor confirms that you have fully recovered from your underlying condition. Talk to your doctor before resuming activities like driving.
