Dextran is widely used in medical and biochemical applications due to its biocompatibility and water solubility. It serves as a plasma volume expander in cases of hypovolemic shock, helping to maintain blood flow and pressure during acute blood loss. In pharmaceutical formulations, dextran acts as a stabilizer and excipient, particularly in eye drops and injectable preparations.

It is also employed in laboratory settings for size-exclusion chromatography, where it forms the matrix of gel filtration columns to separate molecules by molecular size. Dextran-based matrices are key components in affinity chromatography and cell culture applications.

In drug delivery systems, dextran is used to create conjugates that improve the solubility, stability, and targeted release of therapeutic agents, especially in cancer treatment. Modified dextran derivatives are explored for use in hydrogels and nanoparticles for controlled release and tissue engineering.

Additionally, dextran is used in ophthalmic solutions to protect the eye surface during surgery and in diagnostic procedures to improve microcirculation and reduce red blood cell aggregation.