Amino Acids(a mee’ noe)
Aminosyn, FreAmine, HepatAmine, Primene (CAN), ProcalAmine, Travasol, TrophAmine
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Caloric agent
Protein substrate
Therapeutic Actions
Essential and nonessential amino acids provided in various combinations to supply calories and proteins and provide a protein-building and a protein-sparing effect for the body (a positive nitrogen balance).
Indications
Provide nutrition to patients who are in a negative nitrogen balance when GI tract cannot absorb protein; when protein needs exceed the ability to absorb protein (with burns, trauma, infections); when bowel rest is needed; when tube feeding cannot supply adequate nutrition; when health can be improved or restored by replacing lost amino acids
Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis or hepatitis (HepatAmine)
Nutritional support of uremic patients when oral nutrition is not feasible or is impractical or insufficient
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to any component of the solution; severe electrolyte or acid–base imbalance; inborn errors in amino acid metabolism; decreased circulating blood volume; severe renal or hepatic disease; hyperammonemia; bleeding abnormalities.
Use cautiously with hepatic or renal impairment, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, hypertension, decreased circulating blood volume.
Available Forms
Many forms available for IV injections.
Dosages
Dosage must be individualized with careful observation of cardiac status and BUN and evaluation of metabolic needs. Recommended protein dietary allowances are 0.9 g/kg/day for healthy adults, 1.4–2.2 g/kg/day in healthy infants and children. Requirements increase with trauma or in those who are malnourished.
Hepatic encephalopathy: 80–120 g amino acid/day; 500 mL HepatAmine with 500 mL 50% dextrose and electrolyte solution over 8–12 hr per day.
Adults
1–1.5 g/kg/day amino acid injection IV into a peripheral vein; 250–500 mL/day amino acid injection IV mixed with appropriate dextrose, vitamins, and electrolytes as part of a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution.
Pediatric patients
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