Icodextrin (Intraperitoneal)

Calcium Chloride, Icodextrin (eye-koe-DEX-trin), Magnesium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate

Used as a part of a process for cleaning waste out of your body when your kidneys do not work correctly. This medicine is a peritoneal dialysis solution.

Brand Name(s):

Extraneal
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this solution if you have had an allergic reaction to icodextrin or corn starch. People with a rare medical condition called glycogen storage disease should not use this solution.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will decide how much of the solution you need and tell you how often it should be used. This solution is given through a special tube called a catheter. The catheter is placed in your abdomen during a minor operation.
• Your doctor, nurse, or other trained health professional will teach you about peritoneal dialysis and how it works. Make sure you understand all instructions before doing the process yourself. Follow all of the steps in the process exactly as you were trained to do.
• Look at the solution in its container before you use it. Do not use the solution if it is cloudy or has small specks floating in it. Do not use the solution if the container has a leak.
• You may warm the solution up to about 98 degrees F (37 degrees C) before you use it. Do not take the wrapping off of the container of solution until after you have warmed the solution. The best way to warm the solution is to wrap a dry heating pad around the container and wrapping. Do not warm the solution in a microwave oven or put it in water. Do not let the temperature of the solution get above 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
• Keep the solution in the container and the wrapping until you are ready to use it. Keep the solution container and connections clean.
• Put the solution into your catheter over about 10 to 20 minutes.
• After you drain the fluid back out of your catheter, look at the fluid. Call your caregiver if you see clumps or stringy material, or if the fluid is cloudy.
• Do not add anything to the solution unless your health caregiver tells you to. Sometimes, you might need to add potassium (a mineral) or other medicines to the solution. Your health caregiver will tell you if need to add anything to the solution.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor, pharmacist, treatment clinic, or home health caregiver for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store this solution at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover solution, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old solution after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep the solution away from children. Do not let anyone else use your solution.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using insulin, or medicine for heart problems (such as digoxin, Lanoxin®, Digitek®).
• Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using. Icodextrin might remove some medicines from your body, so your doctor might need to change your dose of other medicines. Do not change the dose of any of your other medicines unless your doctor tells you to.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have diabetes or breathing problems. Before you start using this solution, your doctor needs to know if you have any problems with your abdomen or stomach area, such as a hernia, tumor, injury, or recent surgery. Tell your doctor if you have trouble eating, or if your body has trouble using the food that you eat. Make sure your doctor knows if you have a problem with not having enough potassium or having too much calcium in your body.
• If you measure your blood sugar levels, this solution may cause false high blood sugar readings for some kinds of monitors and test strips. You must use only a glucose-specific monitor and test strips. Ask your doctor or nurse to help you choose the right monitor and test strips. Your caregiver may suggest you carry a wallet card explaining your need for a specific kind of monitor and test strips.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this solution. This solution may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• It is important for you to keep track of how much fluid you have in your body at all times. Ask your health caregiver about how to do this, and what to do if you have too much or too little fluid. One way to keep track of how much fluid is in your body is to weigh yourself often, and write the number down.
• This solution is only one kind of fluid that you will use during peritoneal dialysis. This solution is for the long dwell exchange of peritoneal dialysis. The long dwell exchange lasts longer than 8 hours. You will have other fluids to use during other exchanges. You should not use this solution more than one time in 24 hours, unless your doctor tells you to.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this solution. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Cloudy fluid or clumps in fluid after draining
• Cold sweat and bluish-colored skin.
• Confusion.
• Fever, vomiting.
• Light-headedness or dizziness
• Rapid weight gain.
• Redness, swelling, or pain where the catheter goes into your abdomen.
• Severe rash.
• Sweating, shaking, hunger, pounding heartbeat, nervousness.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Trouble breathing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Mild rash.
• Nausea, upset stomach.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.