Hextend
Hextend is a brand-name plasma volume expander solution used for fluid replacement and volume maintenance in patients experiencing blood loss or hypovolemia. It is commonly administered during or after surgical procedures, in trauma settings, or when treating shock due to blood volume loss. This medication is typically given intravenously by healthcare professionals in hospital settings.
Hextend is an IV plasma volume expander used to treat low blood volume conditions in hospitalized patients.
Key facts at a glance
- RxNorm
- 352688
- Generic
- Hextend
- Class
- brand-name
- Brands
- —
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- —
- Forms
- —
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Hextend is indicated for the treatment and prevention of hypovolemia (low blood volume), including blood loss during surgery, trauma, or other conditions requiring fluid resuscitation and plasma volume expansion. It may be used as an alternative to albumin or crystalloid solutions in certain clinical situations.
Hextend contains hydroxyethyl starch (HES), a synthetic colloid that works by expanding plasma volume through oncotic pressure. When infused intravenously, it helps maintain blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs by replacing lost intravascular fluid.
Hextend should only be administered by qualified healthcare professionals in monitored settings. It may cause allergic reactions, bleeding disorders, or kidney impairment in some patients. Use requires careful consideration of the patient's medical history, including any known sensitivity to hydroxyethyl starch or history of fluid overload conditions.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy