Dextran Sulfate Side Effects

Alan Levin, M.D., of Positive Action HealthCare in San Francisco, asked us to warn people about possible gastrointestinal side effects of large doses of dextran sulfate.
In recent weeks he has seen at least six people with explosive bloody diarrhea after taking 3000 mg or more of dextran sulfate per day. Two of them had colonoscopies, and showed evidence of what looked like ulcerative colitis.
When these patients discontinued dextran sulfate, their symptoms resolved and stools became normal. One had a repeat colonoscopy, and the lesions seen earlier had resolved.
Dr. Levin is suggesting that the dose be lowered from 3000 to between 1800 and 2400 mg per day. He has three hundred patients who are using dextran sulfate; most had been taking about 3000 mg per day.
Donald Abrams, M.D., who is running a dextran sulfate study at San Francisco General Hospital, has also reported gastrointestinal symptoms as a side effect of the drug. The diarrhea has also led to questions about whether dextran sulfate is well absorbed.
In Japan, dextran sulfate has been used without a prescription for over 20 years. But the doses have been lower, commonly 900 mg per day.
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