glucose at a glance
Medicine class
Intravenous carbohydrate and parenteral nutrition solution
Main role
Rapid restoration of blood glucose in hypoglycaemia
Administration
Given into a vein by a healthcare professional
Important monitoring
Blood glucose, fluid balance, sodium and other electrolytes
What is glucose used for?
The selected intravenous products are licensed for hospital use for:
Restoring blood glucose in hypoglycaemia caused by excess insulin or other causes.
Temporary relief of symptoms associated with cerebral oedema and hypoglycaemic coma.
Providing concentrated carbohydrate calories or addressing carbohydrate depletion.
Correcting hyperkalaemia in renal failure, sometimes alongside insulin.
How does glucose work?
Glucose enters cells and is metabolised to release energy, ultimately producing carbon dioxide and water. Intravenous administration raises circulating glucose directly. When used with insulin for hyperkalaemia, glucose helps prevent insulin-induced hypoglycaemia while insulin moves potassium into cells.
glucose preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 20% w/v, 50% w/v
How to take glucose
These concentrated products are given intravenously by trained healthcare professionals. Central venous administration is generally used to reduce vein and tissue injury; product-specific exceptions may apply in an emergency. They must not be injected into muscle or under the skin.
The infusion solution and venous access should be checked during administration.
Report pain, burning, swelling or leakage around the cannula immediately.
Glucose solutions without electrolytes should not run with blood through the same infusion set.
glucose side effects
Common or expected effects
- No adverse effects are classified as common in the selected product information; reported frequencies are not known.
- Pain or irritation at the injection site may occur.
Get urgent medical advice
- Hyperglycaemia or hyperosmolar illness, potentially causing dehydration, confusion or loss of consciousness.
- Low sodium and hyponatraemic encephalopathy, which may cause headache, vomiting, lethargy, confusion or seizures.
- Other electrolyte disturbances, including low potassium, phosphate or magnesium.
- Phlebitis, venous thrombosis or tissue and skin damage if concentrated solution leaks outside the vein.
- Fluid overload, pulmonary oedema or worsening heart failure, particularly in severely undernourished patients.
glucose in pregnancy
Intravenous glucose has been widely used during pregnancy, but concentrated infusions require clinical supervision. Particular caution is needed during labour or Caesarean birth because maternal hyperglycaemia may stimulate fetal insulin production and contribute to low neonatal blood glucose. Concurrent oxytocin may also increase the risk of hyponatraemia.
glucose while breastfeeding
The selected product information gives no specific breastfeeding restriction. The clinical team should consider the mother’s glucose, fluid and electrolyte status and the reason for treatment.
glucose interactions
Interactions mainly affect glucose control or increase the risk of low sodium during intravenous fluid treatment.
Insulin
Glucose counteracts insulin’s blood-glucose-lowering effect; both may be used together in monitored treatment of hyperkalaemia.
Vasopressin analogues, including desmopressin, oxytocin, vasopressin and terlipressin
Reduced excretion of electrolyte-free water can increase the risk of hospital-acquired hyponatraemia.
Common questions about glucose
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is glucose infusion used for?
It is principally used to restore low blood glucose. The selected products also support concentrated carbohydrate replacement and certain hospital emergencies, including hypoglycaemic coma, cerebral oedema and hyperkalaemia in renal failure.
Is glucose infusion the same as ordinary sugar?
Glucose is a simple sugar, but these are sterile, concentrated preparations made specifically for intravenous administration under clinical supervision.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.