Benefits found with the AlbuHEP Branched Chain Amino Acid (BCAA) formula

  • Improvement in serum albumin in patient with decompensated hepatic cirrhosis with a pre-treatment albumin level of 3.5g/dL or less despite adequate dietary intake.
  • Improvement in Event-free survival (specifics described below)
  • Improvement in rate of hepatic failure (specifics described below)
  • Improvement in general health perception

Improvement in serum albumin

Improvement in event free survival

Plese see the full publication linked below for more detailed information. In summary patients with the following characteristics saw the largest benefit in survival.

  • Those < 65yo
  • Those with HCV related cirrhosis
  • Females
  • Those with a BTR <4.0

Improvement in hepatic failure

Proportion of patients without aggravation of Hepatic Failure including: ascites, peripheral edema, hepatic encephalopathy, jaundice

Improvement in general health perception

Links to supporting clinical data

Effects of Oral Branched Chain Amino Acid Granules on Event Free Survial in Patients with LIver Cirrhosis
The effect of supplementation with branched-chain amino acids in patients with liver cirrhosis
Oral Branched-Chain Amino Acid Granules Reduce the Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Improve Event-Free Survival in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Pharmacological activities of branched-chain amino acids: augmentation of albumin synthesis in liver and improvement of glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle
Supplementation with branched-chain amino acids ameliorates hypoalbuminemia, prevents sarcopenia, and reduces fat accumulation in the skeletal muscles of patients with liver cirrhosis
Effect of oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acid granules on serum albumin level in the early stage of cirrhosis: a randomized pilot trial

BCAAs and ingredients in AlbuHEP

In decending order:

  • L-Leucine
  • L-Valine
  • L-Isoleucine
  • Natural and Aritificial Flavors
  • L-Malic Acid
  • Calcium Silicate
  • Sunflower Lecithin
  • Sucralose
  • Acesulfame K

Dosing AlbuHEP

The standard dose is one scoop containing 4g of BCCAs, three times daily with or after meals.

AlbuHEP can be resistant to mixing. We recommend using a shaker to mix it,

AlbuHEP can be mixed with cold to room temprature water or juice.

How do patients get AlbuHEP for outpatient use

Currently the only way to get AlbuHEP is directly on this site. We do not distribute via Amazon due to the high levels of fees, fraud and theft that occurs on that platform.

Inpatient use of AlbuHEP

If you would like to utilize AlbuHEP in the Acute or LTAC setting, please ask inpatient pharmacy to review AlbuHEP for formulary inclusion.

Patients not appropriate the treat with AlbuHEP

  • Patients with congenital BCAA metabolic abnormality such as MSUD.
  • Patients with stage 3 or 4 coma due to hepatic encephalopathy.
  • Patient with a total bilirubin level of 3 mg/dL or more.
  • Patients with a severely depressed hepatic function for protein synthesis.

Precautions when prescribing AlbuHEP

AlbuHEP is indicated for patients presenting with hypoalbuminemia despite adequate dietary intake or in whom total dietary calories and protein (amino acids) intake is restricted due to complicated diabetes mellitus or hepatic encephalopathy, among patients with decompensated hepatic cirrhosis presenting with hypoalbuminemia as indicated by a serum albumin level of 3.5 g/dL or less with current or a history of ascites/edema or hepatic encephalopathy.

AlbuHEP consists of branched-chain amino acids alone and does not contain all amino acids required for protein synthesis. Patients taking AlbuHEP must consume the amount of protein (amino acids) and calories required in the diet according to the patient’s condition. If the patient is on restricted protein intake, in particular, caution must be exercised in that the patient may not respond to AlbuHEP.

Side effects

Side effects seen with the BCAA formulation found in AlbuHEP are as follows:

  • Abdominal Distension: 2.1%
  • diarrhea: 1.2%
  • Constipation: 1.0%
  • Hyperammonemia: 0.8%

Penguin Medical manufactures and distributes AlbuHEP. HepLOLA for Hepatic Encephalopathy, also from Penguin Medical has been trusted by Hospitals and Health care providers for over 5 years.

Interactions with drugs

The interaction of AlbuHEP has not been studied and therefore interactions are not know.