Dextrose

Dextrose is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of Hypoglycemia.

• Dextrose is available under the following different brand names: Antidiabetics, Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Agonists

Dosages of Dextrose:

Adult and pediatric dosage

• Intravenous solution
  • 2.5%
  • 5%
  • 10%
  • 20%
  • 30%
  • 50%
  • 70%
• Oral liquid
  • 55%

Hypoglycemia

Adult dosage:

• IV: 10-25 g (ie, 20-50 mL 50% solution or 40-100 mL of 25%)
• Orally: 4-20 g as a single dose; may repeat after 15 minutes if self-monitoring of blood glucose shows continued hypoglycemia

Pediatric dosage:

• Dilute before IV administration, may give more concentrated solution peripherally in emergency (ie, 12.5-25%)
• Children younger than 6 months of age: 0.25-0.5 g/kg/dose (1-2 mL/kg/dose of 25% solution) IV; not to exceed 25 g/dose
• Children older than 6 months of age: 0.5-1 g/kg up to 25 g (2-4 mL/kg/dose of 25% solution) IV; not to exceed 25 g/dose
• Adolescents
• IV: 10-25 g (ei, 20-25 mL 50% solution or 40-100 mL of 25%)
• PO: 4-20 g as a single dose; may repeat after 15 min if self-monitoring of blood glucose shows continued hypoglycemia

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”.

Common side effects of Dextrose include:

• diarrhea, 
• vomiting, and 
• upset stomach

Serious side effects of Dextrose include:

• rash, 
• itching, 
• swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, 
• severe dizziness, 
• trouble breathing, 
• very bad dizziness, 
• fainting, and
• continued low blood sugar

Rare side effects of Dextrose include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Dextrose has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Dextrose has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Dextrose has moderate interactions with no other drugs.
• Dextrose has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • magnesium chloride
  • magnesium citrate
  • magnesium hydroxide
  • magnesium oxide
  • magnesium sulfate  

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects.  Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drugs interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.  Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.  Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity
• Severe dehydration 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Dextrose?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Dextrose?”

Cautions

• Use caution in DM or carbohydrate intolerance
• Give 5% or 10% dextrose to avoid reactive hypoglycemia when highly concentrated dextrose infusion is abruptly withdrawn
• An unexpected rise in blood glucose level in a stable patient may be an early symptom of infection; monitor for signs and symptoms of infection and laboratory parameters
• Significant hypokalemia may occur from the administration of potassium free IV dextrose solutions
• Significant hyponatremia or water intoxication may occur from low sodium or sodium-free IV dextrose solution
• Use caution in patients with diabetes mellitus; reduce the rate of infusion to reduce the possibilities of causing hyperglycemia and glycosuria
• Increased serum osmolality and possible intracerebral hemorrhage may occur from rapid or excessive dextrose administration
• Rebound hypoglycemia may occur following abrupt withdrawal
• Hypertonic solutions (greater than 10%) may cause thrombosis when infused through peripheral veins; best to infuse through a central venous catheter
• Monitor changes in fluid balance, electrolyte concentrations, and acid-base balance during prolonged use
• Caution advised, to avoid air embolism when infusing medication
• Monitor glucose levels and for possible hyperglycemia when treating pediatric patients
• Dextrose injection contains aluminum that may be toxic; patients with impaired renal function, and preterm infants, at higher risk; limit aluminum to less than 4 mcg/kg/day
• Parenteral nutrition associated with liver disease; increased risk in patients who receive parenteral nutrition for extended periods, especially preterm infants; monitor liver function tests, if abnormalities occur consider discontinuation or dosage reduction
• Monitor blood glucose and administer insulin as needed

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks. Maternal and fetal hyperglycemia may occur during labor and delivery; monitor
• Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution