• Diagnostic aid, renal function

Inulin (IN-yoo-lin) is used as a test to help diagnose problems or disease of the kidneys. This test determines how well your kidneys are working.

Inulin passes out of the body entirely in the urine. Measuring the amount of inulin in the blood after it has been given can help the doctor determine if the kidneys are working properly.

How test is done:

Inulin is given through an intravenous infusion (run into a vein). The dose of inulin will be different for different patients. The doctor will determine your dose according to your weight and size. Several times during the test, blood and sometimes urine samples are taken. A tube called a catheter may be placed in your bladder to help take the urine samples. The amount of inulin in your blood or urine is measured. Then the results of the test are studied.

Inulin is to be used only under the supervision of a doctor. It is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

In deciding to use a diagnostic test, the risks of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, test results may be affected by other things. For inulin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to inulin. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Inulin has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—Inulin has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—This medicine has been used in children. In effective doses, inulin has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing the use of inulin in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

• Heart disease or
• Liver disease or
• Underactive adrenal gland or
• Underactive thyroid—These conditions may affect the inulin test results by reducing the amount of inulin that is cleared from the blood

Your doctor may ask you to drink a certain amount of water before and during the test. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully . Otherwise, this test may not work and may have to be done again.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although inulin does not usually cause any side effects, check with your doctor if you notice any unusual effects.