Substance / Medication

Hydroxyethyl starch

Overview

Active Ingredient
hetastarch
RxNorm CUI
5531

Indications

HEXTEND (6% Hetastarch in Lactated Electrolyte Injection) is indicated in the treatment of hypovolemia when plasma volume expansion is desired in settings where adequate alternative treatment is unavailable. It is not a substitute for blood or plasma.

Labeler: Hospira, Inc.Updated: 2025-12-30T00:00:00.000ZFull label on DailyMed

Boxed Warning

FDA Black Box Warning

• Use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) products, including HEXTEND , increases risk of ® o Mortality o Kidney injury o Coagulopathy DO NOT use HES products, including HEXTEND , unless adequate alternative treatment is unavailable. ®

Contraindications

When this intervention should not be used

Do not use HES products, including HEXTEND, unless adequate alternative treatment is unavailable.

Indications & Related Conditions

Conditions associated via SNOMED clinical relationships

Administration & Protocol

Dosing, route, and treatment protocol

Detailed dosage and administration information is available in the full FDA drug label.

View full prescribing information on DailyMed

Monitoring & Follow-Up

Biomarkers relevant to this intervention via related conditions

No monitoring biomarkers have been mapped yet. Biomarker-intervention linkages are derived through related conditions and will expand as the knowledge graph grows.

Research Evidence

Published studies and systematic reviews

Sort:
Use of hydroxyethyl starch in sepsis research: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Johansen Jes R, Perner Anders, Brodtkorb Julie H et al. · Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · 2021
PMID: 34309830Meta-Analysis
Safety and efficacy of peri-operative administration of hydroxyethyl starch in children undergoing surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Thy Michaël, Montmayeur Juliette, Julien-Marsollier Florence et al. · Eur J Anaesthesiol · 2018
PMID: 29419565Meta-Analysis
The impact of hydroxyethyl starches in cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.
Jacob Matthias, Fellahi Jean-Luc, Chappell Daniel et al. · Crit Care · 2014
PMID: 25475406Meta-AnalysisFull text (PMC)

Research data from MEDLINE/PubMed

Benefits & Expected Outcomes

Benefits, expected outcomes, efficacy data, and NNT (Number Needed to Treat) are pending physician authorship and evidence review.

Risks & Side Effects

Adverse reaction and safety data for this drug is sourced from the FDA-approved label.

View adverse reactions & drug interactions on DailyMed

Related Symptoms

Symptoms associated with conditions this intervention addresses

No related symptoms have been mapped yet. Symptom linkages are derived through associated conditions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

Alternative treatments, comparison data, and clinical decision support are pending physician authorship.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment plan.

Do not start, stop, or change any treatment without consulting your healthcare provider.

Quick Facts

Type
Substance / Medication
Fully Specified Name
Hydroxyethyl starch (substance)
SNOMED CT
418938005
UMLS CUI
C0020352
RxNorm CUI
5531
Labeler
Hospira, Inc.

Clinical Data

This intervention maps to 1 entities in the Healos knowledge graph.

1
Conditions
0
Biomarkers
0
Specialists
0
Symptoms

Data is sourced from SNOMED CT, UMLS, and the Healos clinical knowledge graph. Content sections marked as pending require physician authorship. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any treatment.