Parenteral Nutrition
Used as a parenteral source of calories and for parenteral nutrition.
Hypertonic dextrose injections (concentration >5%) are used to provide adequate calories
in a minimal volume of water.
May be admixed with amino acids injections or other compatible IV fluids to provide
parenteral nutrition.
Hypoglycemia
10 – 25% dextrose injections used in neonates and infants to restore blood glucose
concentrations in the treatment of acute symptomatic hypoglycemia.
50% dextrose injections used in adults and children to restore blood glucose concentrations
in the treatment of hypoglycemia resulting from insulin excess or other causes.
Used orally for the management of hypoglycemia in conscious diabetics.

Acute alcohol intoxication
For reduction of cerebrospinal pressure and/or cerebral edema due to delirium tremens or
acute alcohol intoxication.
Glucose injection 50% w/v is strongly hypertonic and is used partly because of its
dehydrating effects.

Method of administration:
Intravenous infusion route.
Administer hypertonic dextrose solutions (e.g., >5%) slowly; rapid administration may
produce substantial hyperglycemia and hyperosmolar syndrome.
It is preferable to administer hypertonic dextrose solutions via an IV catheter placed into a
large central vein, and only after appropriate admixture or dilution.
Hypertonic dextrose solutions may be administered slowly via a large peripheral vein,
preferably through a small bore needle.
If possible, alternate the injection site daily.
Ensure that the needle (or catheter) is within the vein lumen and avoid extravasation. (See
Infusion Site Reactions under Cautions.)
Administer concentrated dextrose solutions (≥10%) only after appropriate dilution, except
in the emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia.

Posology:
Parenteral Nutrition and Hydration
Calculate dosage based on age, weight, clinical condition, fluid, electrolyte balance,
laboratory results and acid-base balance of the patient.
Hypoglycemia
Neonates and infants: 250–500 mg/kg as a single dose (1–2 mL of 25% dextrose injection)
in neonates. In severe cases or in older infants, higher or repeated single doses up to a
maximum 10–12 mL of 25% dextrose injection may be required. Subsequently, if required,
administer 10% dextrose injection by continuous IV infusion to stabilize blood glucose
concentrations. Alternatively, 2 mL/kg of 10–25% dextrose injection in neonates and
infants.

Children: 20 –50 mL of 50% dextrose injection administered slowly (e.g., 3 mL/minute). In
severe cases, repeated doses and supportive therapy may required.
Adults: 20 – 50 mL of 50% dextrose injection administered slowly (e.g., 3 mL/minute). In
severe cases, repeated doses and supportive therapy may be required.
When patients do not respond to or tolerate dextrose, consider the use of other drugs (e.g.,
glucagon, corticosteroids, and epinephrine).
Acute alcoholism: 50ml of glucose 50% w/v solution should be administered
intravenously. Unmodified insulin (20 units) and thiamine hydrochloride (100mg) should
be added to the infusion.
Prescribing Limits
Parenteral Nutrition and Hydration
Children: Maximum infusion rate without producing glycosuria: 0.5 g/kg per hour.
Maximum infusion rate 0.8 g/kg per hour.
Adults: Maximum infusion rate without producing glycosuria: 0.5 g/kg per hour.

Maximum infusion rate 0.8 g/kg per hour.
Hypoglycemia
Neonates and infants: Maximum 10–12 mL of 25% dextrose injection in severe cases or in
older infants.
Children: Maximum infusion rate without producing glycosuria: 0.5 g/kg per hour.
Maximum infusion rate 0.8 g/kg per hour.
Adults: Maximum infusion rate without producing glycosuria: 0.5 g/kg per hour.
Maximum infusion rate 0.8 g/kg per hour.

Warnings
Administer concentrated dextrose injections under supervision of a qualified clinician
familiar with IV technique and possible complications.
Use with caution in patients with known subclinical or overt diabetes mellitus.
Use with caution in infants of diabetic mothers except when indicated in hypoglycemic
neonates.
Hypertonic solutions of glucose should be administered via a large central vein to minimise
the damage at the site of injection
Hyperglycemia and Hyperosmolar Syndrome
Risk of hyperglycemia and/or hyperosmolar syndrome (e.g., dehydration, hypovolemia,
mental confusion, loss of consciousness) with rapid administration, especially in patients
with chronic uremia and known carbohydrate intolerance. Administer hypertonic dextrose
solutions slowly. Monitor blood and urine glucose levels; administration of insulin may be
required.
When infusions of concentrated dextrose are discontinued, consider a 5 or 10% dextrose
substitute solution to prevent rebound hypoglycemia.

Fluid and/or Solute Overload
Possible fluid and/or solute overload resulting in dilution of serum electrolytes,
overhydration, congested conditions, or pulmonary edema.
Risk of dilutional conditions is inversely proportional to the electrolyte concentration
administered. Risk of solute overload and resultant congestive conditions with peripheral

and/or pulmonary edema is directly proportional to the electrolyte concentration
administered.
Infusion Site Reactions
Infusion site and other reactions (e.g., fever, infection at the injection site, venous
thrombosis, hypervolemia, extravasation, phlebitis extending from injection site) possible.
May occur because of the solution (e.g., contamination) or administration technique.
Hypertonic dextrose injections may cause local pain or venous irritation or damage. (See
IV Administration under Dosage and Administration.) If adverse effects occur, discontinue
infusion; evaluate patient and institute appropriate therapeutic measures; save remainder of
fluid for examination, if necessary.

General precautions for IV administration
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and
discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Do not
administer unless solution is clear and seal is intact.
Do not connect flexible plastic containers of intravenous solution in series, i.e., do not
piggyback connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being
drawn from one container before administration of the fluid from a secondary container is
completed.
Pressurizing intravenous solutions contained in flexible plastic containers to increase flow
rates can result in air embolism if the residual air in the container is not fully evacuated
prior to administration.
Use of a vented intravenous administration set with the vent in the open position could
result in air embolism. Vented intravenous administration sets with the vent in the open
position should not be used with flexible plastic containers.

When dextrose is used in fixed combination with sodium chloride, consider the cautions,
precautions, and contraindications associated with sodium chloride.
Electrolyte disturbances (i.e., hypokalemia) produced by large doses of dextrose may
predispose digitalized patients to toxicity. So additional potassium may be required in
fasting patients with normal renal function.
Consider the use of other drugs (e.g., glucagon, corticosteroids, and epinephrine) as they
affect the blood glucose level.

Fertility
Not relevant

Pregnancy
Category C.
Lactation
Not known whether dextrose is excreted into milk. Use with caution in nursing women.

Not relevant.

Hypovolemia, hypervolemia, dehydration, oedema, fever, mental confusion,
unconsciousness, hyperosmolar syndrome, hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia, acidosis,
hypophosphataemia, hypomagnesemia, polyuria, glycosuria, ketonuria, nausea, diarrhoea,
polydipsia, vein irritation, tissue necrosis, pulmonary oedema, tachypnoea
Reactions which may occur because of the solution or the technique of administration
include febrile response, infection at the site of injection, venous thrombosis or phlebitis
extending from the site of injection.
The physician should also be alert to the possibility of adverse reactions to drug additives.
Prescribing information for drug additives to be administered in this manner should be
consulted.
If the patient is over

• Risk of hyperglycemia and/or hyperosmolar syndrome (e.g., dehydration,

hypovolemia, mental confusion, loss of consciousness).

•  Possible fluid and/or solute overload resulting in dilution of serum electrolytes,

overhydration, congested conditions, or pulmonary edema.

•  Risk of solute overload and resultant congestive conditions with peripheral and/or

pulmonary edema is directly proportional to the electrolyte concentration
administered.

• See undesirable effects section.

Emergency measures
In the event of a fluid or solute overload during parenteral therapy, revaluate the patient's
condition and initiate appropriate corrective treatment.
Monitor blood and urine glucose levels; administration of insulin may be required.

•  Increases blood glucose concentrations and provides calories and water.
•  May aid in minimizing liver glycogen depletion, exert a protein-sparing action, and

decrease or prevent ketosis.

•  Induces diuresis.     Pharmacotherapeutic group Code: V06DC01

Readily metabolized to carbon dioxide and water.

Not relevant

Water for injection

Knowledge of added drug compatibility is needed before mixing drugs.
If drugs mixed together, the mixture should be inspected for precipitations, turbidity or
change in colour, however not all incompatibilities are visible.

Do not store above 25°C.

500 ml plastic bottle.

Before administration, the product should be visually inspected for any particulate matter
and discoloration.
For single use only.
Any unused solution should be discarded.