Brand Name: Extraneal
Active Ingredient: icodextrin 7.5%
Strength(s): 1.5 L, 2.0 L and 2.5 L
Dosage Form(s): Peritoneal dialysis solution
Company Name: Baxter International Inc.
Availability: Prescription only
Date Approved by FDA: December 20, 2002

What is Extraneal used for? 

Extraneal is a sterile peritoneal dialysis solution used for chronic kidney failure. It draws fluid and wastes from your bloodstream into your peritoneal cavity (the space inside your abdomen). The fluids and wastes are removed from your body when the Extraneal solution is drained. You should use Extraneal only for the long dwell exchange (8-16 hours) in peritoneal dialysis, and not more than 1 exchange in 24 hours.

Who should not be treated with Extraneal?

Do not use Extraneal if you: 

• have a glycogen storage disease 
• are allergic to Extraneal or to any of the ingredients in Extraneal. Extraneal contains icodextrin, which is made from cornstarch.

Special Warnings with Extraneal:

If you monitor your blood glucose, you must use a glucose specific monitor and test strips. If your glucose monitor or test strips use a glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinolinequinone (GDH PQQ) method, using EXTRANEAL may cause a falsely high glucose reading. A false high blood glucose reading could cause you to give more insulin than you need. Getting more insulin than you need can lower your blood sugar unnecessarily and can cause a serious reaction including loss of consciousness. You or your health care provider should contact the manufacturer(s) of the monitor and test strips you use to make sure that Extraneal, icodextrin or maltose will not interfere with the test results.

What should I tell my health care provider? 

Tell your health care provider if you: 

• have a condition that restricts normal nutrition (you do not eat well) 
• have a lung or breathing problem 
• have low potassium levels in your blood 
• have high calcium levels in your blood 
• are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding 
• use cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin. Your health care provider may need to monitor your blood levels of calcium, potassium and magnesium. 

Tell your health care provider if you have had abdominal (stomach area): 

• surgery in the past 30 days 
• tumors 
• open wounds 
• hernia 

Tell your health care provider about any other conditions you have that may affect the wall of your abdomen, inside or outside of your abdomen. 

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your health care provider if you take insulin and blood pressure medicines. Extraneal may affect how these medicines work.   

What are some possible side effects of Extraneal? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Extraneal. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)

Rash is the most common side effect of Extraneal. It usually appears during the first 3 weeks of treatment and goes away when treatment stops. This side effect is more common in women. 

Other side effects of Extraneal: 

• peritonitis (an infection in the peritoneal cavity). Report any symptoms of peritonitis (pain, redness, fever, and cloudy drained fluid) to your health care provider right away. 
• high blood pressure 
• cold 
• headache 
• abdominal (stomach) pain 
• cough 
• flu-like symptoms 
• nausea 
• swelling 
• chest pain 
• upset stomach 
• high blood sugar