Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
IV solution
- D50W
Acute Alcohol Intoxication
25-50 g (50-100 mL of D50W solution); administer with thiamine (50-100 mg IV) to prevent Wernicke's encephalitis
Sulfonylurea Overdose
10-25 g (40-100 mL of D25W solution or 20-50 mL of D50W solution) IV; may require repeated boluses
Insulin Overdose
400-600 mg of glucose/kg/hr needed for most insulin overdoses
Alternatively, administer 25-50 g (D50W) IV; may repeat doses in severe cases; determine glucose levels before injecting dose; in emergencies, may administer promptly before obtaining glucose results
Hyperkalemia
25-50 g (250-500 mL D10W) plus 10 units regular insulin IV over 30-60 min
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (0)
Monitor Closely (1)
- dichlorphenamide
dichlorphenamide and dextrose (Antidote) both decrease serum potassium. Use Caution/Monitor.
Minor (4)
- magnesium chloride
dextrose (Antidote) decreases levels of magnesium chloride by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- magnesium citrate
dextrose (Antidote) decreases levels of magnesium citrate by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- magnesium hydroxide
dextrose (Antidote) decreases levels of magnesium hydroxide by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- magnesium sulfate
dextrose (Antidote) decreases levels of magnesium sulfate by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Possibility of intracellular lactic acid production in setting of ischemic brain cells & hyperglycemia
Hypokalemia
Edema
Hyper/hypovolemia
Dehydration
Fever
Mental cofusion
Unconsciousness
Ketonuria
Glycosuria
Polyuria
Phlebitis
Venous thrombosis
Metabolic acidosis
Diarrhea
Polydipsia
Vein irritation
Pulmonary edema/tachypnea
Extravasation can result in tissue damage
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Source of calories and fluid for patients unable to obtain adequate oral intake
Substrate for ATP production for aerobic metabolism; promotes glycogen deposition in the liver
In hyperkalemia dextrose in combination with insulin stimulates the uptake of potassium by cells (especially in muscle tissue), which in turn lowers serum potassium
Pharmacokinetics
Onset of action: 10 min (PO; treatement of hypoglycemia)
Absorption: Rapid from the small intestine
Metabolism: Metabolized to carbon dioxide and water
Time to peak: 40 min (PO)
Images
Patient Handout
dextrose 50 % in water (D50W) intravenous
NO MONOGRAPH AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
USES: Consult your pharmacist.
HOW TO USE: Consult your pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Consult your pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Consult your pharmacist.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Consult your pharmacist.Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: No monograph available at this time.
MISSED DOSE: Consult your pharmacist.
STORAGE: Consult your pharmacist.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2023 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
Formulary
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