Abstract: It has been found that certain insoluble hydrophilic cross-linked polysaccharides are useful pharmaceutical agents in diverting water elimination from the renal route to the gastrointestinal route, and removing excess water from the body by the gastrointestinal route. These properties are of specific therapeutic value in the treatment of edema, water intoxication in chronic renal failure, in reducing the frequency of hemodialysis, and in the treatment of other forms of fluid retention such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and other disorders associated with refractory swelling. Sephadex-brand insoluble hydrophilic, cross-linked dextrans are preferred in the practice of the invention.