DEXTROSE 2.5% AND SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.9% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER
Clinical safety rating: safe
No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.
Dextrose is a monosaccharide that provides caloric support and prevents ketosis by entering the glycolytic pathway. Sodium chloride 0.9% is an isotonic crystalloid that expands extracellular fluid volume by increasing intravascular osmotic pressure. The combination repletes both free water and sodium deficits.
| Metabolism | Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation; approximately 3.4 kcal/g are produced. Sodium chloride is not metabolized; it distributes extracellularly and is renally excreted. |
| Excretion | Dextrose: primarily metabolized to CO2 and water; <5% excreted unchanged in urine. Sodium chloride: excreted renally with >90% of sodium and chloride ions eliminated via kidneys; negligible biliary/fecal elimination. |
| Half-life | Dextrose: 30-60 minutes (utilization half-life) for glucose; for IV fluids, distribution half-life is minutes. Sodium chloride: elimination half-life varies with volume status; typical serum sodium half-life ~1-2 hours for acute load. |
| Protein binding | Dextrose: negligible (<5%). Sodium: not protein bound. Chloride: not protein bound. |
| Volume of Distribution | Dextrose: 0.2-0.25 L/kg (primarily extracellular). Sodium chloride: 0.15-0.2 L/kg (extracellular space). |
| Bioavailability | IV: 100%. |
| Onset of Action | IV: Immediate (seconds to minutes) for hemodynamic effects; volume expansion occurs within 5-10 minutes. |
| Duration of Action | IV: Volume expansion lasts 2-4 hours depending on redistribution and renal elimination; glucose effect lasts 30-60 minutes. |
Intravenous infusion, administered at a rate determined by clinical condition; typical maintenance fluid rate for adults is 100-200 mL/hour (2.4-4.8 L/day) with dextrose 2.5% providing 25-50 g glucose daily.
| Dosage form | INJECTABLE |
| Renal impairment | For GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m², reduce total fluid volume to avoid fluid overload; monitor serum sodium and glucose closely. No specific dose reduction for electrolyte content beyond routine monitoring. |
| Liver impairment | No specific Child-Pugh based dose adjustment; monitor for hypoglycemia in severe hepatic impairment due to impaired gluconeogenesis. |
| Pediatric use | Intravenous infusion at 0.5-1 mL/kg/hour (standard maintenance) adjusted for age and weight; neonates: 60-100 mL/kg/day; children: 100-120 mL/kg/day. Provide glucose at 4-8 mg/kg/min for neonatal hypoglycemia prophylaxis. |
| Geriatric use | Initiate at low infusion rates (50-100 mL/hour) with close monitoring for fluid overload, hyperglycemia, and electrolyte disturbances; adjust based on renal function and cardiac status. |
| 1st trimester | Consult provider |
| 2nd trimester | Consult provider |
| 3rd trimester | Consult provider |
Clinical note
No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.
| FDA category | Animal |
| Breastfeeding | Both dextrose and sodium chloride are normal constituents of breast milk. Administration of this solution is considered safe during breastfeeding. M/P ratio not applicable as these components are endogenous and not actively secreted. |
| Teratogenic Risk | Dextrose and sodium chloride are physiological components; no teratogenic risk is expected at standard doses. However, hyperglycemia or electrolyte imbalances may be detrimental. First trimester: no specific risk. Second/third trimester: safe when used to maintain normoglycemia and normal electrolyte balance. |
■ FDA Black Box Warning
None
| Common Effects | fluid replacement |
| Serious Effects |
["Hyperglycemia or hypertonic dehydration","Known allergy to corn (dextrose source) or to any component of the product","Clinically significant hypernatremia or fluid overload states","Patients with intracranial hemorrhage (relative contraindication for dextrose-containing solutions)"]
| Precautions | ["Risk of hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity in patients with diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance","Use with caution in patients with congestive heart failure, renal impairment, or severe dehydration","Monitor serum electrolytes, fluid balance, and glucose levels during prolonged administration","Large volume infusions may cause fluid overload, especially in neonates and elderly","Container may contain aluminum that can accumulate in patients with renal impairment"] |
Loading safety data…
| Fetal Monitoring | Monitor serum electrolytes (sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, potassium), blood glucose, fluid balance, and clinical signs of hypervolemia or dehydration. Fetal heart rate monitoring when used during labor. |
| Fertility Effects | No direct effects on fertility. Underlying conditions requiring such infusion may affect fertility; the solution itself does not impair reproductive function. |