glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Hypertonic intravenous carbohydrate solution
Administration
Given by intravenous infusion under clinical supervision; the concentrate must be diluted before use
Monitoring
Blood glucose, sodium, other electrolytes and fluid balance require monitoring
What is glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate used for?
Selected products are licensed for:
Supplementing carbohydrate energy as part of parenteral nutrition.
Temporary relief of symptoms associated with hypoglycaemic coma.
Temporary relief of symptoms associated with increased intracranial pressure.
How does glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate work?
Glucose enters cells and is metabolised to provide energy. Intravenous administration also raises circulating glucose. Once glucose is metabolised, the remaining fluid can act as free water and disturb sodium and fluid balance.
How to take glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate
A doctor or nurse gives this treatment through an intravenous line. The concentrate must be diluted or incorporated into a parenteral-nutrition mixture. Venous access is selected according to the final solution’s osmolarity because hypertonic solutions can damage peripheral veins.
Do not administer or dilute it yourself.
Tell staff if the infusion site becomes painful, red, swollen or warm.
Tell the team about diabetes, kidney, heart or liver disease, recent head injury, malnutrition or corn allergy.
glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- The selected product information does not classify any effects as common. Effects reported with unknown frequency include high blood glucose, rash, fever, chills and infusion-site redness, inflammation, infection or thrombophlebitis.
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or another severe hypersensitivity reaction, particularly with corn-product allergy.
- Acute hyponatraemia causing headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, confusion, seizures, coma or brain swelling.
- Severe hyperglycaemia, dehydration or hyperosmolarity.
- Fluid overload or pulmonary oedema causing swelling or breathing difficulty.
glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate in pregnancy
Glucose solutions can be used during pregnancy when clinically needed. Labour requires extra caution and monitoring because maternal intravenous glucose can affect fetal and newborn glucose, and use with oxytocin may increase the risk of hyponatraemia.
glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate while breastfeeding
Evidence specifically assessing these products during breastfeeding is limited, although glucose solutions have been used while breastfeeding. The hospital team should consider the clinical need and monitor glucose and fluid balance as appropriate.
glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate interactions
Medicines affecting glucose control, vasopressin or water balance may alter the safety of intravenous glucose.
Desmopressin, oxytocin or terlipressin
Their vasopressin-like effects can reduce water excretion and increase the risk of hospital-acquired hyponatraemia.
SSRIs, antipsychotics, opioids, carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine
These can increase vasopressin effects or otherwise raise the risk of hyponatraemia.
Common questions about glucose, anhydrous + glucose monohydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why must glucose concentrate be diluted?
It is strongly hypertonic. Direct administration can irritate or damage veins and may cause thrombosis.
Can it be used if I have diabetes?
Diabetes requires caution rather than being an absolute contraindication, but clinically significant hyperglycaemia is a contraindication. Blood glucose must be monitored.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.