DEXTROSE 5%, SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.2% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.224% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER

Clinical safety rating: safe

No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.

How it works

Dextrose provides a source of calories and fluid for cellular metabolism. Sodium chloride and potassium chloride replace electrolyte deficits and maintain acid-base balance.

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Dextrose is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water via glycolysis and the citric acid cycle; potassium is primarily excreted by the kidneys; sodium is excreted by the kidneys and sweat.
Excretion	Excretion is primarily renal for potassium and chloride; dextrose is metabolized to CO2 and water. Potassium: >90% excreted in urine; chloride: >95% renally absorbed and excreted; dextrose: not excreted unchanged.
Half-life	Dextrose: <1 minute (rapid uptake into cells); potassium: ~4-6 hours in a 70 kg adult with normal renal function; chloride: variable, follows sodium kinetics.
Protein binding	Dextrose: negligible; potassium: negligible; chloride: negligible.
Volume of Distribution	Dextrose: extracellular fluid (0.2 L/kg); potassium: total body water (0.5-0.6 L/kg); chloride: extracellular fluid (0.2 L/kg).
Bioavailability	Intravenous: 100%; not administered by other routes.
Onset of Action	Intravenous: immediate for dextrose (within seconds), potassium and chloride effects begin within minutes as distribution occurs.
Duration of Action	Dextrose: 1-2 hours depending on infusion rate (continuous replacement); potassium: duration depends on infusion rate and renal function; chloride: sustained as long as infused.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

IV infusion; rate determined by fluid and electrolyte requirements. Typical adult dose: 1000-2000 mL per 24 hours, administered at 40-80 mL/hour.

Dosage form	INJECTABLE
Renal impairment	GFR 30-50 mL/min: reduce infusion rate by 25-50%. GFR <30 mL/min: avoid use or use with extreme caution, monitor serum potassium closely. Not recommended in oliguric renal failure.
Liver impairment	No specific adjustment for Child-Pugh class A or B. In severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), use with caution due to risk of fluid overload and electrolyte disturbances. Monitor serum potassium and glucose.
Pediatric use	Weight-based dosing: 20-100 mL/kg/24 hours for maintenance, adjust based on clinical status and serum electrolytes. Typical rate: 1-4 mL/kg/hour. Use with caution in neonates due to risk of hyperkalemia.
Geriatric use	Lower initial infusion rates (e.g., 20-40 mL/hour) to avoid fluid overload. Monitor renal function and serum potassium. Adjust dose based on estimated GFR and clinical response.

Use during pregnancy

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	Excreted in breast milk; components are normal constituents of human milk. M/P ratio: not applicable as these are endogenous substances. Likely safe; caution with high doses due to potential electrolyte imbalance.
Teratogenic Risk	No known teratogenic risk; dextrose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride are physiological components essential for maternal and fetal homeostasis. No increased risk of congenital anomalies reported.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

No FDA black box warning for this specific combination.

Side Effect Profile

Common Effects	fluid replacement
Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Addison's disease","Severe dehydration","Hypernatremia","Hypersensitivity to any component"]

Clinical Precautions

Precautions

["Monitor serum electrolytes, fluid balance, and renal function","Avoid in patients with renal impairment or hyperkalemia","Avoid in patients with anuria or severe dehydration","Contains aluminum which may be toxic with prolonged use in renal impairment"]

Clinical Tips & Counseling

Drug interactions

Loading safety data…

DEXTROSE 5%, SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.2% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 0.224% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER

Clinical safety rating: safe

No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.

How it works

Dextrose provides a source of calories and fluid for cellular metabolism. Sodium chloride and potassium chloride replace electrolyte deficits and maintain acid-base balance.

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Dextrose is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water via glycolysis and the citric acid cycle; potassium is primarily excreted by the kidneys; sodium is excreted by the kidneys and sweat.
Excretion	Excretion is primarily renal for potassium and chloride; dextrose is metabolized to CO2 and water. Potassium: >90% excreted in urine; chloride: >95% renally absorbed and excreted; dextrose: not excreted unchanged.
Half-life	Dextrose: <1 minute (rapid uptake into cells); potassium: ~4-6 hours in a 70 kg adult with normal renal function; chloride: variable, follows sodium kinetics.
Protein binding	Dextrose: negligible; potassium: negligible; chloride: negligible.
Volume of Distribution	Dextrose: extracellular fluid (0.2 L/kg); potassium: total body water (0.5-0.6 L/kg); chloride: extracellular fluid (0.2 L/kg).
Bioavailability	Intravenous: 100%; not administered by other routes.
Onset of Action	Intravenous: immediate for dextrose (within seconds), potassium and chloride effects begin within minutes as distribution occurs.
Duration of Action	Dextrose: 1-2 hours depending on infusion rate (continuous replacement); potassium: duration depends on infusion rate and renal function; chloride: sustained as long as infused.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

IV infusion; rate determined by fluid and electrolyte requirements. Typical adult dose: 1000-2000 mL per 24 hours, administered at 40-80 mL/hour.

Dosage form	INJECTABLE
Renal impairment	GFR 30-50 mL/min: reduce infusion rate by 25-50%. GFR <30 mL/min: avoid use or use with extreme caution, monitor serum potassium closely. Not recommended in oliguric renal failure.
Liver impairment	No specific adjustment for Child-Pugh class A or B. In severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), use with caution due to risk of fluid overload and electrolyte disturbances. Monitor serum potassium and glucose.
Pediatric use	Weight-based dosing: 20-100 mL/kg/24 hours for maintenance, adjust based on clinical status and serum electrolytes. Typical rate: 1-4 mL/kg/hour. Use with caution in neonates due to risk of hyperkalemia.
Geriatric use	Lower initial infusion rates (e.g., 20-40 mL/hour) to avoid fluid overload. Monitor renal function and serum potassium. Adjust dose based on estimated GFR and clinical response.

Use during pregnancy

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	Excreted in breast milk; components are normal constituents of human milk. M/P ratio: not applicable as these are endogenous substances. Likely safe; caution with high doses due to potential electrolyte imbalance.
Teratogenic Risk	No known teratogenic risk; dextrose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride are physiological components essential for maternal and fetal homeostasis. No increased risk of congenital anomalies reported.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

No FDA black box warning for this specific combination.

Side Effect Profile

Common Effects	fluid replacement
Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Addison's disease","Severe dehydration","Hypernatremia","Hypersensitivity to any component"]