albumin

[ALBUM(EN) + -IN.]

For more information on albumin, visit Britannica.com.

A type of globular protein that is characterized by its solubility in water and in 50% saturated aqueous ammonium sulfate. Albumins are present in mammalian tissues, bacteria, molds, and plants, and in some foods. Serum albumin, which contains 584 amino acid residues, is the most abundant protein in human serum, and it performs two very important physiological functions. It is responsible for about 80% of the total osmotic regulation in blood, and it transports fatty acids from adipose tissue to muscle. When excessive amounts of albumin are found in the urine upon clinical examination, some form of kidney disease is usually indicated. Another important albumin, ovalbumin, is found in egg white. This protein is about two-thirds the size of serum albumin, and it contains sugar residues in addition to amino acid residues (that is, it is a glycoprotein). See also Protein.

A group of relatively small proteins which are soluble in water and readily coagulated by heat. Ovalbumin is the main protein of egg-white, lactalbumin occurs in milk, and plasma or serum albumin is one of the major blood proteins. Serum albumin concentration is sometimes measured as an index of protein-energy malnutrition.

Often used as a non-specific term for proteins (e.g. albuminuria is the excretion of proteins in the urine).

[al-BYOO-mehn] The protein portion of the egg white, comprising about 70 percent of the whole. Albumin is also found in animal blood, milk, plants and seeds.

The primary protein of plasma (4.5% g) that aids in maintaining capillary osmotic pressure.

Brand names: Albumarc®Albuminar®Albutein®Buminate®Flexbumin Human Albumin Grifols®Plasbumin® 20Plasbumin® 25Plasbumin® 5

Drug Forms:
• Albumin Human Solution for injection (below)
• Albumin injection
• Albumin Human, Albumin, Aggregated Solution for injection

Español:
• Albúmina Humana, Solución para inyección
• Inyección de albúmina
• Albúmina Humana; Albúmina, Solución para inyección agregado

Albumin Human Solution for injection

What is this medicine?

ALBUMIN (al BYOO min) is used to treat or prevent shock following serious injury, bleeding, surgery, or burns by increasing the volume of blood plasma. This medicine can also replace low blood protein.
 
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
•anemia
•heart disease
•kidney disease
•an unusual or allergic reaction to albumin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be closely monitored while you receive this medicine.

Some products are derived from human plasma, and there is a small risk that these products may contain certain types of virus or bacteria. All products are processed to kill most viruses and bacteria. If you have questions concerning the risk of infections, discuss them with your doctor or health care professional.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
•breathing problems
•changes in heartbeat
•fever, chills
•pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
•signs of viral infection including fever, drowsiness, chills, runny nose followed in about 2 weeks by a rash and joint pain
•tightness in the chest

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•increased salivation
•nausea, vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. You will not be given this medicine to store at home.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

1. any protein that is soluble in water and moderately concentrated salt solutions and is coagulable by heat.
2. serum albumin; a plasma protein, formed principally in the liver and constituting about four-sevenths of the 6 to 8% protein concentration in the plasma. Albumin is responsible for much of the colloidal osmotic pressure of the blood, and thus is a very important factor in regulating the exchange of water between the plasma and the interstitial compartment (space between the cells).
The presence of albumin in the urine (see albuminuria) indicates malfunction of the kidney, and may accompany kidney disease or heart failure.
A decrease in the serum albumin level may occur with severe disease of the kidney. Other conditions such as liver disease, malnutrition and extensive burns may result in serious decrease of plasma proteins.

• aggregated a. — heat-denatured human albumin, which is labeled with radioisotopes for pulmonary perfusion scanning. Called also macroaggregated albumin. See also technetium.
• ⁵¹Cr-labeled a. excretion — a method of determining gastrointestinal protein loss. After intravenous administration of ⁵¹Cr-labeled albumin, radioactivity in the feces is measured.
• a.–globulin (A/G) ratio — the ratio of albumin to globulin in blood serum, plasma or urine.
• iodinated ¹²⁵I a. — a radiopharmaceutical used in plasma volume determinations, consisting of albumin human labeled with iodine-125.
• iodinated ¹³¹I a. — a radiopharmaceutical used in blood pool imaging and plasma volume determinations, consisting of albumin human labeled with iodine-131.
• macroaggregated a. (MAA) — aggregated albumin.
• serum a. — albumin of the blood.

Tutor's tip: The "albumen" (egg white) contains "albumin" (a plant and animal protein).

Dansk (Danish)
n. - æggehvidestof

Nederlands (Dutch)
albumine (soort eiwit)

Français (French)
n. - (Méd) albumine, (Bot) albumen, blanc de l'¯uf

Deutsch (German)
n. - (chem.) Albumin

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (βιολ.) λευκωματίνη

Italiano (Italian)
albumina

Português (Portuguese)
n. - albumina (f) (Bioquím.)

Русский (Russian)
альбумин

Español (Spanish)
n. - albúmina

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - äggviteämne

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
蛋白, 白朊

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 蛋白, 白朊

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 알부민(단백질의 일종)

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - アルブミン

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) زلال ألبيضه‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮חלבון מסיס במים, אלבומין‬

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