Amino Acids (Essential)

Amino Acids (Essential) is a parenteral nutrition amino acid solution medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Provision of amino acids as part of parenteral nutrition when oral or enteral nutrition is not possible, insufficient, or contraindicated.
• Support of nitrogen balance and protein requirements in patients needing intravenous nutritional support.
• Use as a component of individualized nutrition regimens with appropriate calories, fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements as prescribed.

The dose and infusion rate must be individualized by the treating doctor based on age, body weight, nutritional requirements, clinical condition, fluid status, kidney and liver function, and laboratory results. It is given by intravenous infusion, usually in a hospital or closely supervised setting, and may be combined with glucose, lipids, electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements when appropriate. Do not self-administer or change the infusion rate without medical instruction.

• Infusion-site pain, redness, swelling, phlebitis, or vein irritation.
• Nausea, vomiting, flushing, fever, chills, or headache.
• Fluid overload, swelling, shortness of breath, or worsening heart failure in susceptible patients.
• Electrolyte imbalance, high blood urea, metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, and blood glucose changes when used in parenteral nutrition.
• High ammonia levels or worsening confusion, especially in severe liver disease.
• Catheter-related infection or thrombosis with intravenous nutrition.
• Rare but serious allergic or anaphylactic reactions such as rash, wheezing, low blood pressure, or facial swelling.

Use with caution in patients with kidney impairment, liver disease, heart failure, fluid overload, electrolyte abnormalities, diabetes, sepsis, or risk of refeeding syndrome. Regular monitoring of fluid balance, blood glucose, electrolytes, kidney and liver tests, acid-base status, and nutritional response is important. Use only under the guidance of a registered doctor or pharmacist.

• Other intravenous medicines or additives should not be mixed with amino acid infusion unless compatibility and stability are confirmed, because precipitation or loss of effect may occur.
• Calcium and phosphate additives require careful control to avoid precipitation in parenteral nutrition mixtures.
• Medicines affecting kidney function, fluid balance, or electrolytes, such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and nephrotoxic drugs, may require closer monitoring.
• Insulin or diabetes medicines may need adjustment when amino acids are given with glucose-containing parenteral nutrition.
• Changes in oral or tube feeding intake should be communicated to the healthcare team so total nutrition can be adjusted safely.

• Known hypersensitivity to any component of the infusion.
• Uncorrected severe metabolic disturbances, such as severe acidosis or significant electrolyte imbalance, until stabilized.
• Severe liver failure with inability to metabolize amino acids or hyperammonemia, unless a specialist determines benefit outweighs risk.
• Severe kidney failure or anuria when nitrogen load cannot be managed and dialysis or appropriate monitoring is not available.
• Inborn errors of amino acid metabolism where the supplied amino acids cannot be safely metabolized.

Amino acids are normal nutritional components, but intravenous parenteral nutrition during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be used only when medically necessary and under specialist supervision. The doctor will weigh the nutritional benefit against risks related to infusion, catheter use, fluid balance, and metabolic monitoring.

Store as directed on the product label, usually at controlled room temperature and protected from excessive heat and light. Do not freeze unless the label specifically allows it. Do not use if the container is leaking, damaged, cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles. Keep out of the reach of children and use only before the expiry date.