Gelofusine is a 4% solution of succinylated gelatin used as an intravenous colloid to increase blood volume, blood flow, cardiac output, and oxygen transportation. It is indicated for treatment and prevention of hypovolaemia from hemorrhage, fluid loss, or perioperative fluid maintenance. Contraindications include hypersensitivity to gelatin, hypervolaemia, hyperhydration, severe cardiac insufficiency, and severe blood coagulation disturbances. Adverse effects are rare and mild, including hives, fever, nausea, or pain. Monitoring of fluid balance, coagulation parameters, and signs of allergic reaction is necessary during administration.

1. GENERIC
NAME
BRAND
NAME
MECHANISM
OF ACTION
INDICATION CONTRAINDICATIONS ADVERSE
EFFECTS
NURSING
INTERVENTION
Gelofusine
Active
Ingredient
Gelatin
succinylated
Pharmaceutical
form
Solution for
infusion
Pharmaco-
therapeutic
group
Colloidal plasma
volume
substitute.
Dosage
Dosage, infusion
rate and duration
of administration
depend upon
individual
 Gelofusine®,
 Physiogel®
 Gelafundin®
 4 %,
Gelafundina
®
A 4% w/v solution
of succinylated
gelatin also known
as modified fluid
gelatin used as an
intravenous
colloid, and
behaves like blood
filled with
albumins.
As a result, it
causes an
increase in blood
volume, blood
flow, cardiac
output, and
oxygen
transportation.
A collodial plasma
volume substitute
in:
1.Treatment and
prevention of
hypovolaemia:
 Absolute
hypovolaemia
from
haemorrhage
or other cases
of intravascular
fluid loss or
perioperative
intravascular
fluid
maintenance
 Relative
hypovolaemia
secondary to
induction of
epidural or
spinal
anaesthesia,
non-
hypovolaemic
shock.
Must not be administered in
cases of
 know hypersensitivity
to gelatin
 hypervolaemia
 hyperhydration
 severe cardiac
insufficiency
 severe disturbance of
blood coagulation
Like all
medicines,
Gelofusine can
cause side
effects, although
not everybody
gets them.
In rare cases (i.e.
in 1 to 10 treated
patients in
10,000) mild skin
reactions (hives,
nettle rash) may
occur.
In very rare
cases (i.e. in less
than 1 treated
patient in 10,000)
an allergic shock
has been
observed. It must
be stressed that
allergic reactions
are extremely
rare, but should
they occur there
are established
methods of
treating them,
Necessary monitoring
 It is necessary to monitor
the serum ionogram and
fluid balance. This is
particularly the case in
hypernatraemia, states
of dehydration and renal
insufficiency.
 In cases of blood
coagulation disturbances
and chronic liver disease
the coagulation
parameters and serum
albumin should be
monitored.Because of
the possibility of allergic
(anaphylactic/anaphylact
oid) reactions,
appropriate monitoring of
patients is necessary.

2. requirements
and should be
adjusted to the
current
requirement by
monitoring the
usual circulation
parameters (e.g.
blood pressure).
Route of
Administration
Intravenous
2.Haemodilution
(perioperative,
therapeutic
venesection)
3.Extra-corporeal
circulation (cardiac
surgery, plasma
exchange,
haemodialysis)
which would be
used immediately
by the attending
doctor.
Uncommon side
effects (affecting
1 to 10 treated
patients in a
1,000) include:
• short lasting
queasiness or
belly pain
• short lasting
mild rise of body
temperature.
If any of the side
effects become
serious, or if you
notice any side
effects not listed
in this leaflet,
please tell your
doctor or
pharmacist.