Health Library Albumin for Nephrotic SyndromeFrom Healthwise

Albumin is given directly into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Dosage is based on body size and the severity of the illness.

Albumin is a protein that is made in the liver and released into the blood. It helps prevent blood from leaking out of blood vessels, and it carries medications and other substances through the blood. It is also important for tissue growth and healing. When albumin levels drop, fluid may collect in the ankles (pedal edema), lungs (pulmonary edema), or belly (ascites).

Albumin is primarily used for short-term treatment of nephrotic syndrome. It helps to remove extra fluid from the tissues and puts it back into a normal circulation pattern. It improves kidney function by increasing blood flow to the kidneys.

Albumin restores blood volume and improves kidney function in people with nephrotic syndrome. It acts quickly, though it only works for a few hours.

Albumin can cause heart failure if it is given too rapidly.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Albumin must be given over 8 to 12 hours to prevent heart failure.

You should not use albumin if you have severe anemia, heart failure, or a known hypersensitivity to albumin.

Many experts question the benefits of albumin for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome. However, albumin is particularly effective when nephrotic syndrome is causing pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, or acute renal failure.¹

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Citations

1. Roth KS, et al. (2002). Nephrotic syndrome: Pathogenesis and management. Pediatrics in Review, 23(7): 237–247.

Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: June 13, 2007
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology
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