glucose + sodium chloride at a glance
Medicine class
Intravenous electrolyte solution with carbohydrate
Usual role
Treating dehydration or low circulating blood volume when water, sodium chloride and carbohydrate are required
Administration
Given into a vein by a healthcare professional, with fluid balance and blood tests monitored
What is glucose + sodium chloride used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Treating dehydration or hypovolaemia when water, sodium chloride and carbohydrate are required because normal fluid and electrolyte intake is restricted.
How does glucose + sodium chloride work?
Water supports circulating volume and hydration. Sodium and chloride help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. Glucose supplies carbohydrate for energy; after it is metabolised, the remaining fluid can act as physiologically hypotonic water, so sodium and fluid balance require monitoring.
How to take glucose + sodium chloride
Trained staff give this solution by intravenous infusion. The solution should be clear and the bag and seal intact. Tell staff promptly about pain, stinging, redness, leakage or swelling around the cannula.
Do not adjust, disconnect or restart the infusion yourself.
Follow the clinical team's advice about food and drink.
Medicines must only be added after compatibility has been assessed.
glucose + sodium chloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reported reactions of unknown frequency include infusion-site pain, vein inflammation, redness, swelling, blisters, fever, chills, itching or rash.
- Blood tests may show high glucose or altered sodium and other electrolyte concentrations.
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or another severe hypersensitivity reaction.
- Acute hyponatraemia causing headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, seizures, coma or brain swelling.
- Marked hyperglycaemia or hyperosmolar complications.
- Fluid overload causing pulmonary congestion, breathlessness or widespread swelling.
glucose + sodium chloride in pregnancy
It may be used in pregnancy when clinically required after individual assessment. Special caution is needed during labour, particularly with oxytocin, because maternal hyponatraemia and effects on fetal or newborn glucose balance can occur.
glucose + sodium chloride while breastfeeding
The selected product can be used while breastfeeding, but clinicians should consider the expected benefit, the person's fluid and metabolic status, and any medicine added to the infusion.
glucose + sodium chloride interactions
Relevant interactions mainly affect water, sodium, potassium or glucose balance, or physical compatibility.
Desmopressin, oxytocin, terlipressin and other medicines increasing vasopressin effects
Reduced electrolyte-free water excretion can increase the risk of hospital-acquired hyponatraemia.
SSRIs, antipsychotics, opioids, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, NSAIDs and some anticancer medicines
These may increase the risk of hyponatraemia, requiring closer sodium monitoring.
Diuretics, beta-2 agonists and insulin
The combination may increase the risk of low potassium.
Common questions about glucose + sodium chloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is glucose + sodium chloride infusion used for?
It replaces water, sodium chloride and carbohydrate when someone is dehydrated or has low circulating blood volume and adequate intake by normal routes is restricted.
How is it given?
A healthcare professional gives it directly into a vein through an intravenous line or cannula.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.