dextrose monohydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Intravenous carbohydrate solution for parenteral nutrition.
Licensed roles
Energy supply and delivery of compatible supplementary medicines.
Administration
Given into a vein by a healthcare professional.
Key monitoring
Blood glucose, sodium and other electrolytes, fluid balance and the infusion site may require monitoring.
What is dextrose monohydrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Providing carbohydrate energy intravenously.
Acting as a vehicle for a compatible intravenous medicine.
Hospital treatment of hypoglycaemia when a person cannot eat, drink or swallow safely is well established, but is not listed as an indication in the selected product’s SmPC.
How does dextrose monohydrate work?
Glucose enters cells and is metabolised to release energy. With oxygen, it is ultimately converted to carbon dioxide and water. Insulin promotes glucose uptake and moves potassium into cells.
dextrose monohydrate preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 10% w/v, 40% w/v
How to take dextrose monohydrate
Trained staff administer this product as an intravenous infusion through suitable venous access. The solution should be clear and the container intact; compatibility must be confirmed before another medicine is added.
Tell staff promptly if the infusion site becomes painful, red, swollen or cool.
Do not adjust, disconnect or restart the infusion yourself.
The container is for single use; unused solution is discarded.
dextrose monohydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Frequency not known: pain or irritation at the infusion site.
- Frequency not known: inflammation of the infused vein.
Get urgent medical advice
- Allergic or anaphylactic reaction, including breathing difficulty or facial or throat swelling.
- Acute hyponatraemia, which may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, confusion, seizures or brain swelling.
- Tissue damage if the solution leaks outside the vein.
- High blood glucose, fluid overload or pulmonary oedema.
- Low potassium, phosphate or magnesium, particularly during refeeding of a malnourished person.
- Rebound hypoglycaemia after abrupt withdrawal in susceptible patients.
dextrose monohydrate in pregnancy
The infusion may be considered during pregnancy when clinically needed. During labour, maternal blood glucose requires close monitoring because hyperglycaemia may contribute to neonatal hypoglycaemia. Particular caution is required with oxytocin because of the risk of hyponatraemia.
dextrose monohydrate while breastfeeding
Glucose and its metabolites occur in breast milk, but effects on a breastfed infant are not anticipated when this infusion is used as indicated. It may be used during breastfeeding when clinically required.
dextrose monohydrate interactions
Medicines affecting glucose or water balance may alter monitoring requirements or increase adverse effects.
Desmopressin, oxytocin, vasopressin or terlipressin
Their vasopressin-like effects reduce water excretion and can increase the risk of hyponatraemia.
SSRIs, carbamazepine, antipsychotics, opioids, vincristine or ifosfamide
These may stimulate vasopressin release and increase the risk of hospital-acquired hyponatraemia.
NSAIDs or cyclophosphamide
These may enhance vasopressin action and increase the risk of hyponatraemia.
Common questions about dextrose monohydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is dextrose monohydrate the same as glucose?
Dextrose is another name for glucose. “Monohydrate” means the glucose crystals contain water; product composition may also state the equivalent amount of anhydrous glucose.
Why is it given into a vein?
Intravenous administration provides glucose directly to the bloodstream when parenteral energy or an intravenous vehicle for another medicine is required.
Can it treat low blood sugar?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.