What is Kabiven used for?

Kabiven provides calories, protein, and essential nutrients to adults who cannot eat or use a feeding tube.

Can Kabiven be used in children?

No, it is not recommended for children under 2 years old, and it can be dangerous for infants and neonates.

Is Kabiven safe for pregnant women?

There is not enough data to know the exact risk, but doctors may use it if a pregnant woman's nutritional needs cannot be met otherwise.

What are the risks for elderly patients using Kabiven?

Doctors usually start with a lower dose for elderly patients because their liver, kidney, or heart functions may be different.

Can Kabiven interact with antibiotics?

Yes, it can react dangerously with ceftriaxone, especially in newborns, causing fatal particles to form in the body.

What should I do if Kabiven is given in an overdose?

The infusion should be stopped immediately to allow the body to clear the lipids, and medical help should be sought.

Does Kabiven cause liver problems?

Yes, using this type of nutrition for more than 2 weeks can increase the risk of liver disease.

Who should not take Kabiven?

People allergic to egg, soybean, or peanut, and newborns taking ceftriaxone should not use it.

L-Serine | CAS 6898-95-9 | MTCFGRXMJLQNBG

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Nutritional solution (Amino Acid/Lipid emulsion)

Kabiven is a nutritional solution used through an IV (intravenous) line to provide essential calories, protein, electrolytes, and fatty acids to adults who cannot get enough nutrition by mouth or through a feeding tube. It is used to prevent nutritional deficiencies or manage protein imbalances in patients requiring parenteral nutrition.

Brand names:Kabiven

Used for

Providing nutrition (calories, protein, electrolytes, and fatty acids) when eating or tube feeding is not possiblePreventing essential fatty acid deficiencyTreating negative nitrogen balance in adults

Conditions

Malnutrition requiring parenteral nutrition

Class

Amino AcidLipid EmulsionParenteral NutritionNutritional solution (Amino Acid/Lipid emulsion)MetabolicGastrointestinalRespiratoryHepatic

How to take

FormsIntravenous infusion

RoutesIntravenous (into a central vein only)

Dosage should be determined by a healthcare professional based on the patient's specific needs and renal function. It must be infused into a central vein using a 1.2 micron in-line filter.

Kabiven must be administered into a central vein only. It should be used with a dedicated line and a 1.2 micron filter to prevent complications like air embolisms or blockages. It should not be mixed with certain antibiotics like ceftriaxone in the same line or even in the same patient if they are neonates, as this can cause fatal precipitates in the blood.

Key warnings

·Risk of liver disease with use lasting longer than 2 weeks
·Risk of fatal drug interactions (specifically with ceftriaxon/calcium) in newborns
·Risk of respiratory distress or pulmonary embolism
·Risk of severe allergic reactions to ingredients like egg, soybean, or peanut

Do not use if

·Neonates (28 days or younger) receiving ceftriaxone
·People with known allergies to egg, soybean, peanut, or any Kabiven ingredients
·People with severe lipid metabolism disorders (very high triglycerides > 1,000 mg/dL)

Side effects

Common

Liver problems (Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease)Respiratory distress or pulmonary embolismInfectionsFat overloadAllergic or hypersensitivity reactions

Serious

·Rapid infusion in infants can cause breathing problems, metabolic acidosis, or death
·Liver disease from long-term use (more than 2 weeks)
·Blood clots or breathing issues due to particles in the lungs
·Severe allergic reactions
·Fatal precipitation of drugs (like ceftriaxone) in the bloodstream

Seek help if

·Respiratory distress
·Signs of an allergic reaction
·Signs of liver dysfunction

Interactions

·Warfarin and other blood thinners: Kabiven may reduce the effectiveness of these drugs; blood monitoring is required.
·Ceftriaxone: Mixing Kabiven with ceftriaxone (especially in neonates) can cause dangerous particles to form in the blood, lungs, or kidneys. These should not be given through the same line or even close together without thorough flushing.

FoodContains essential fatty acids and nutrients; patients with specific allergies (egg, soy, peanut) must avoid it.

Special populations

PregnancyThere is limited data on using Kabiven in pregnant women. While the drug itself hasn't been studied for birth defect risks in animals, severe malnutrition in a pregnant woman can lead to preterm birth or low birth weight. A doctor should decide if the nutritional benefits outweigh the risks.

PediatricKabiven is not recommended for children under 2 years old because the formula does not meet their specific nutritional needs. In infants and neonates, rapid infusion can be fatal and there is a risk of aluminum toxicity.

GeriatricThere isn't enough data on patients over 65, but doctors usually start with a lower dose because older adults may have different liver, kidney, or heart functions.

Talk to your doctor

Monitor

·Liver function tests
·Triglyceride levels
·Signs of respiratory distress
·Signs of hypersensitivity/allergic reactions

Questions to ask

·Is this nutrition solution appropriate for my specific nutritional needs?
·How will my liver function be monitored during use?
·Are there any specific allergies I should be concerned about?
·How should this be administered with my other medications?

Practical

OverdoseIf an overdose occurs, stop the infusion immediately to let the fats clear from the blood. The effects are usually reversible once the infusion stops, though medical intervention may be needed.

Ingredients

Allergens

soyeggpeanut

Educational summary derived from FDA labeling, AI-assisted. Not medical advice — consult a healthcare professional. Updated 2026-04-26.