RX only

ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution is a sterile aqueous solution for intravenous administration containing the albumin component of human blood. The solution is clear and slightly viscous; it is almost colorless, or yellow, amber, or green.

This product is prepared from the plasma of US donors. The product has been produced by alcohol fractionation and has been heated for 10 hours at 60°C for inactivation of infectious agents. The results of virus validation studies have shown that the manufacturing process, particularly alcohol fractionation, eliminates enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Additionally, heat treatment at 60°C for a period of 10 hours efficiently inactivates viruses. The solution contains 0.14 M (3.2 mg/mL) sodium. The aluminum content is ≤ 200 mcg/L and the potassium content is ≤ 0.002 M. The solution is stabilized with 0.004 M sodium N-acetyltryptophanate and 0.004 M sodium caprylate. The solution contains no preservative.

ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution should not be used as an intravenous nutrient because of the slow breakdown and relatively unfavorable composition of the albumin molecule with respect to its content of essential amino acids. Oral provision of proteins or an intravenous regimen providing adequate calories and a suitable amino acid mixture are the methods of choice for the treatment of protein malnutrition as such, though they do not permit the rapid correction of hypoproteinemia.

The binding properties of albumin may, in special circumstances, provide an indication for its clinical use. For such purposes, however, an Albumin (Human) 25% solution should be used.

The colloid osmotic or oncotic properties of albumin constitute the predominant reason for its clinical use. The rationale for this is the Starling concept of the capillary balance of hydrostatic and oncotic pressure gradients across the capillary walls as the determinant of the fluid – i.e. volume – distribution between the intravascular and the interstitial compartment.15 The basic indication for the use of ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution is therefore a plasma or blood volume deficit. The 5% concentration is approximately isotonic and isooncotic with normal human plasma. The effective colloid osmotic pressure of the serum proteins depends very largely on the relatively small and numerous albumin molecules, which therefore play a decisive role in the maintenance of the circulating plasma volume.

The use of ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution is contraindicated in patients with a history of an incompatibility reaction to such preparations (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). In addition, ALBURX® 5 may be contraindicated in patients with cardiac failure or severe anemia because of the risk of acute circulatory overload.

ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution is made from human plasma. Products made from human plasma may contain infectious agents, such as viruses, that can cause disease. The risk that such products will transmit an infectious agent has been extremely reduced by screening plasma donors for prior exposure to certain viruses, by testing for the presence of certain current virus infections, and by inactivating and/or removing certain viruses through alcohol fractionation and through heat treatment of the product in the final container for 10 hours at 60ºC. Despite these measures, such products can still potentially transmit disease. A theoretical risk for transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is considered extremely remote. No cases of transmission of viral diseases or CJD have ever been identified for Albumin (Human). There is also the possibility that unknown infectious agents may be present in such products. All infections thought by a physician possibly to have been transmitted by this product should be reported by the physician or other healthcare provider to CSL Behring Pharmacovigilance Department at 1-866-915-6958.

The physician should discuss the risks and benefits of this product with the patient.

Turbid solutions must not be used. Do not begin administration more than 4 hours after introduction of the administration set.

Adequate precautions should be taken against circulatory overload (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Acute pulmonary edema is seen in 3 to 4 percent of patients resuscitated from severe shock, but this is neither related to any particular type of resuscitative fluid, nor is it necessarily due to circulatory overload.11 Helpful measures are pulmonary auscultation and if possible measurement of the central venous pressure. Special caution is indicated in patients with stabilized chronic anemia or renal insufficiency.

Since ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution is sterile when coming from the manufacturer, bacterial contamination with the risk of post-infusion septicemia can only occur if the container has been damaged or following puncture of the rubber cap (see WARNINGS).

Though very rare, non-septic incompatibility reactions including nausea, chills, fever, urticaria, headache and hypotension following the administration of albumin-containing preparations have occasionally been observed.6,8,9,16 A favorable response to the intravenous administration of 50 to 100 mg of prednisolone was recorded.9 Severe allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock have been reported.

ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution must be administered intravenously. The venipuncture site should not be infected or traumatized, and should be prepared with standard aseptic technique. The solution is compatible with whole blood or packed red cells as well as the usual electrolyte and carbohydrate solutions intended for intravenous use. By contrast, it should not be mixed with protein hydrolysates, amino acid mixtures, or solutions containing alcohol. It is ready for use as contained in the bottle and may be given without regard to the blood group of the recipient.

Upon administration of ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution, there is a rapid increase of the plasma volume about equal to the volume infused. The initial dose for adults is 250 or 500 mL. The rate of infusion and the total volume administered are determined by the condition and response of the patient. A rate of 1–2 mL per minute is usually suitable in the absence of overt shock, whereas the capacity of the administration set is the only limit in the exsanguinated patient.

During resuscitation, constant monitoring of the patient provides the guidelines for treatment.

For children, a dose of 22 to 33 mL per kilogram body weight is usually adequate and close surveillance of the young patient is essential. Since patients – notably those with sepsis or severe multiple injuries – often need a circulating blood volume exceeding the prediction derived from their body weight, treatment should always be guided by the hemodynamic response and not by blood volume calculations or measurements.5

ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% is clear and slightly viscous; it is almost colorless, or yellow, amber, or green. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use solution that is turbid or contains particulate matter. Partially used bottles must be discarded.

ALBURX® 5 is supplied as a 5% solution (50 g/L).

Each product presentation includes a package insert and the following components listed in Table 1 below.

ALBURX® 5, Albumin (Human) 5% solution should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30°C (86°F). It should not be used after the expiration date printed on the label.

1. Clowes GHA Jr, Vucinic M, Weidner MG. Ann. Surg. 1966;163:866.
2. Gaar KA Jr, Taylor AE, Owens LJ, Guyton AC. Amer. J. Physiol. 1967;213:79.
3. Heughan C, Niinikoski J, Hunt TK. Surg. Gynec. Obstet. 1972;135:257.
4. Hoye RC, Paulson DF, Ketcham AS. Surg. Gynec. Obstet. 1970;131:943.
5. Kinney JM, Egdahl RH, Zuidema GD. Manual of Preoperative and Postoperative Care, American College of Surgeons. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co: 1971.
6. Lowenstein E. In: Sgouris JT, René A, ed. Proceedings of the Workshop on Albumin, February 12–13. Bethesda, Maryland 20014: DHEW Publication NIH 76-925, NHLI; p. 302, 1975.
7. Moss G. Surg. Forum. 1967;18:333.
8. Ring J, Messmer K. Lancet. 1977;1:466.
9. Ring J, Seifert J, Lob G, Coulin K, Brendel W. Klin. Wschr. 1974;52:595.
10. Sgouris JT, René A, ed. Proceedings of the Workshop on Albumin, February 12–13. Bethesda, Maryland 20014: DHEW Publication NIH 76-925, NHLI; 1975.
11. Simmons RL, Heisterkamp CA, Collins JA, Bredenberg CE, Martin AM. J. Trauma. 1969;9:760.
12. Skillman JJ, Parikh BM, Tanenbaum BJ. Amer. J. Surg. 1970;119:440.
13. Skillman JJ, Restall DS, Salzman EW. Surgery. 1975;78:291.
14. Skillman JJ, Tanenbaum BJ. Current Topics in Surgical Research. Vol. 2. New York: Academic Press; 1970:523.
15. Starling EH. J. Physiol. 1896;19:312-326.
16. Tullis JL. JAMA. 1977:237:355,460.

Manufactured by:
CSL Behring AG
Bern, Switzerland
US License No. 1766

Distributed by:
CSL Behring LLC
Kankakee, IL 60901 USA

Revised July 2022

NDC 44206-310-25
5%

Albumin (Human)
5% Solution
AlbuRx® 5
250 mL

For intravenous
administration

Rx only

CSL Behring

NDC 44206-310-50
5%

Albumin (Human)
5% Solution
AlbuRx® 5
500 mL

For intravenous
administration

Rx only

CSL Behring