Protinex Ultra

Indications

This preparation combines amino acids, dextrose (glucose) and electrolytes to provide protein building blocks, energy and essential salts. Such combinations are most often used as an intravenous nutrition solution for people who cannot eat or absorb enough food, for example after major surgery, during serious illness or with severe gut problems. Some products with similar ingredients are made as oral nutritional supplements; check the pack to see which form you have.

How It Works

Amino acids supply the building blocks the body needs to make and repair proteins in muscles, organs and the immune system. Dextrose provides quick energy, which helps the body use the amino acids for building rather than burning them for fuel. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and phosphate help keep fluid balance, nerve and muscle function and the body's acid balance normal.

Dosage and Administration

Infusion forms are given into a vein by a doctor or nurse in hospital, at a rate and volume worked out for each patient from their weight, condition and blood tests. They must not be given too fast. Oral forms should be taken only as directed on the label or by a doctor or dietitian.

Interactions

Medicines that change potassium levels, such as Spironolactone, ACE inhibitors or diuretics, may need adjustment. The sugar content can affect blood sugar control in people taking Insulin or other diabetes medicines. Infusions are not mixed with other medicines unless compatibility is confirmed by the pharmacy.

Contraindications

• Allergy to any ingredient
• Inborn errors of amino acid metabolism
• Severe kidney failure without dialysis, or severe liver failure with confusion, unless closely supervised
• Uncontrolled high blood sugar
• High blood levels of the electrolytes contained, such as potassium
• Fluid overload, severe heart failure or fluid in the lungs (for infusions)

Side Effects

Infusions may cause high blood sugar, changes in blood salts, fluid overload with swelling, nausea, flushing, fever, vein irritation at the drip site, and line infections. Long-term intravenous nutrition can affect the liver. Oral forms may cause nausea, bloating or diarrhoea.

Get urgent medical help if you have breathlessness, chest pain, marked swelling, confusion, high fever or chills, pain, redness or swelling at the drip site, muscle weakness with an irregular heartbeat, or signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Nutrition support may be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding when a doctor decides it is needed, with careful monitoring.

Precautions and Warnings

During infusion, blood sugar, salts, kidney and liver function and fluid balance are checked regularly. Start slowly in severely malnourished patients to avoid refeeding syndrome, a dangerous shift in body salts. Take care in diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease.

Overdose

Giving too much or too fast can cause fluid overload, high blood sugar, salt imbalance and vomiting. The infusion is slowed or stopped and the medical team treats the effects.

Therapeutic Class

Nutritional preparation (amino acids with dextrose and electrolytes)

Storage

Store as directed on the pack, usually below 25 to 30°C, away from light. Do not freeze. Do not use if the solution is cloudy or the container is damaged. Keep out of the reach of children.