DEXTROSE 5% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.075% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER
Clinical safety rating: caution
Comprehensive clinical and safety monograph for DEXTROSE 5% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.075% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER (DEXTROSE 5% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.075% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER).
Dextrose is a monosaccharide that serves as a source of calories and water for hydration. It is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water, yielding energy. Potassium chloride dissociates to provide potassium ions, which are essential for maintenance of intracellular tonicity, nerve impulse transmission, contraction of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle, and maintenance of normal renal function.
| Metabolism | Dextrose is metabolized to pyruvate and lactate via glycolysis, then enters the citric acid cycle for energy production; potassium is primarily excreted by the kidneys and undergoes no significant metabolism. |
| Excretion | Potassium: 90% renal, 10% fecal. Glucose: completely metabolized; <1% renal. |
| Half-life | Potassium: terminal half-life ~1-1.5 hours in normokalemic patients; clinically relevant for dosing interval. Glucose: negligible terminal half-life due to rapid metabolism. |
| Protein binding | Potassium: negligible (<2%). Glucose: not bound. |
| Volume of Distribution | Potassium: Vd ~0.5 L/kg (total body water); higher in hypokalemia. Glucose: distributes into total body water, Vd ~0.2 L/kg (extracellular fluid). |
| Bioavailability | Intravenous: 100% for both glucose and potassium. Not applicable by other routes. |
| Onset of Action | Intravenous: hyperglycemic effect within minutes; potassium effect immediate but depends on potassium deficit. |
| Duration of Action | Intravenous: glucose effect persists during infusion; potassium redistribution occurs over hours; full correction of deficiency may require prolonged infusion. |
Intravenous infusion; rate and volume determined by patient fluid and electrolyte status. Typical maintenance: 100-125 mL/hour for adults, providing 5 g dextrose and 7.5 mEq potassium chloride per liter.
| Dosage form | INJECTABLE |
| Renal impairment | Use with caution in renal impairment due to risk of hyperkalemia. For GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m², reduce potassium chloride concentration or avoid use. For GFR 30-50 mL/min/1.73m², monitor serum potassium closely. |
| Liver impairment | No specific Child-Pugh based adjustments; use standard precautions in hepatic impairment due to potential for fluid and electrolyte disturbances. |
| Pediatric use | Dose based on weight and clinical needs. Typical maintenance: 100-120 mL/kg/day for neonates and children, up to 40 kg weight; adjust potassium chloride rate to 0.5-1 mEq/kg/day maximum. |
| Geriatric use | Use with caution due to age-related decline in renal function; monitor serum potassium and fluid status; adjust rate and potassium concentration accordingly. |
| 1st trimester | Consult provider |
| 2nd trimester | Consult provider |
| 3rd trimester | Consult provider |
Clinical note
Comprehensive clinical and safety monograph for DEXTROSE 5% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.075% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER (DEXTROSE 5% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.075% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER).
| Breastfeeding | Dextrose and potassium chloride are endogenous substances normally present in breast milk. Intravenous administration of 5% dextrose and 0.075% potassium chloride does not significantly alter milk composition. M/P ratio not established but expected to be similar to plasma. Considered compatible with breastfeeding; monitor infant for electrolyte disturbances if maternal potassium levels are abnormal. |
| Teratogenic Risk | Dextrose and potassium chloride are generally considered safe during pregnancy when administered as clinically indicated. Dextrose is a physiological nutrient; potassium chloride is essential electrolyte. No teratogenic effects reported with intravenous administration at therapeutic doses during any trimester. However, hyperglycemia from excessive dextrose may cause fetal macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia; hypokalemia or hyperkalemia may affect fetal cardiac function. |
■ FDA Black Box Warning
None
| Serious Effects |
["Hyperkalemia","Hypersensitivity to any component","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Severe dehydration","Diabetic ketoacidosis without appropriate insulin therapy","Patients with known metabolic disorders affecting potassium regulation"]
| Precautions | ["Risk of hyperkalemia if administered too rapidly or in patients with impaired renal function","Risk of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients","May cause vein irritation at infusion site","Contain aluminum that may be toxic with prolonged use in renal impairment","Not for use in patients with severe electrolyte imbalances or fluid overload"] |
| Food/Dietary | No direct food interactions, but monitor dietary potassium intake if on potassium-sparing diuretics or ACE inhibitors. Dextrose may affect blood glucose; diabetic patients should monitor glucose levels and adjust insulin as needed. No specific food restrictions. |
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| Fetal Monitoring | Monitor maternal serum glucose, potassium, and sodium levels; maternal vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure); fetal heart rate monitoring if indicated; assess for signs of fluid overload (edema, dyspnea) or electrolyte imbalance (cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness). |
| Fertility Effects | No known adverse effects on fertility with therapeutic intravenous use of dextrose 5% and potassium chloride 0.075%. Normal electrolyte balance is essential for reproductive function; neither component is known to impair fertility in humans. |
| Clinical Pearls | This formulation (D5 0.075% KCl) provides 5 g dextrose and 0.75 g KCl per 100 mL, yielding 170 kcal/L and 10 mEq K+/L. Use with caution in patients with hyperkalemia, renal impairment, or hyponatremia. Monitor serum potassium and glucose during infusion. Incompatible with IV lipid emulsions and certain drugs. Do not administer simultaneously with blood products due to risk of hemolysis. |
| Patient Advice | This infusion contains sugar and potassium to maintain energy and electrolyte balance. · Report any burning, pain, or swelling at the IV site promptly. · Tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems, high potassium, or diabetes. · This fluid does not contain enough calories for long-term nutrition. |