Voluven is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to starch, fluid overload, renal failure with oliguria or anuria not related to hypovolemia, those receiving dialysis, severe hypernatremia, severe hyperchloremia and intracranial bleeding.
Avoid fluid overload; adjust dosage in patients with cardiac or renal dysfunction. Monitor kidney function, fluid balance, acid-base balance, coagulation parameters and serum electrolytes. In severe dehydration a crystalloid solution should be given first. Elevated serum amylase levels may occur and interfere with the diagnosis of pancreatitis. Observe caution in patients with severe liver disease or bleeding disorders. High dosages may cause dilution of blood components.
Anaphylactoid/hypersensitivity reactions can occur. Most common adverse reactions (incidence >1%) are pruritus, elevated serum amylase, and hemodilution (resulting in dilution of blood components, e.g., coagulation factors and other plasma proteins and a decrease in hematocrit).