glucose monohydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Intravenous carbohydrate solution
Main roles
Carbohydrate and fluid support; vehicle for compatible intravenous medicines
Administration
Given into a vein by a healthcare professional
Important monitoring
Fluid balance, blood glucose, sodium and other electrolytes
What is glucose monohydrate used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for:
Intravenous carbohydrate and fluid support.
Use as a vehicle for intravenous medicines confirmed to be compatible with glucose solution.
How does glucose monohydrate work?
Glucose enters cells and is metabolised, mainly to carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy. After the glucose is used, the remaining water can make the infused fluid physiologically hypotonic, so sodium and fluid balance must be monitored.
glucose monohydrate preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 5%, 5% w/v, 10%, 10% w/v, 20% w/v, 30% w/v
How to take glucose monohydrate
This is a hospital intravenous infusion administered under medical supervision.
Staff should use only a clear solution from an undamaged container.
The product is for single use; unused solution is discarded.
Compatibility must be confirmed before another medicine is added.
It must not share infusion equipment with blood or blood components because haemolysis or clumping may occur.
glucose monohydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Irritation or discomfort around the infusion site.
- Changes in blood glucose or fluid and electrolyte balance, including low sodium or potassium; available data do not establish their frequency.
Get urgent medical advice
- Acute hyponatraemic encephalopathy, which may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, seizures, coma or brain swelling.
- Severe hyperglycaemia or hyperosmolar dehydration.
- Fluid overload, including pulmonary or cerebral oedema.
glucose monohydrate in pregnancy
Glucose infusion may be used in pregnancy when clinically indicated, with careful control of blood glucose, electrolytes and fluid balance. Particular caution is required during labour, especially with oxytocin, because of hyponatraemia risk. Maternal hyperglycaemia near delivery may contribute to neonatal hypoglycaemia.
glucose monohydrate while breastfeeding
One selected product permits use during breastfeeding when clinically indicated, and harmful effects at therapeutic exposure are not anticipated. Monitoring depends on the mother's clinical condition and infusion contents.
glucose monohydrate interactions
Medicines that increase vasopressin activity or otherwise promote hyponatraemia can increase the risk of low sodium during intravenous glucose therapy.
Oxytocin, desmopressin, vasopressin or terlipressin
Increased vasopressin activity can reduce water excretion and increase hyponatraemia risk.
SSRIs, antipsychotics, opioids or carbamazepine
These may stimulate vasopressin release and increase hospital-acquired hyponatraemia risk.
Common questions about glucose monohydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is glucose monohydrate intravenous infusion used for?
Selected UK products provide intravenous carbohydrate and fluid support and can carry compatible intravenous medicines.
Is glucose monohydrate the same as glucose?
Glucose monohydrate is glucose associated with water in its crystalline form; product labels may express the equivalent amount of anhydrous glucose.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.