DEXTROSE 5%, SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.2% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 15MEQ (K)

Clinical safety rating: safe

No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.

How it works

Dextrose provides a source of calories and energy; sodium chloride and potassium chloride replenish electrolytes and maintain fluid balance.

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; potassium is excreted renally; sodium is excreted renally.
Excretion	Renal: glucose is completely reabsorbed under normal conditions; excess is excreted unchanged in urine. Sodium, chloride, and potassium are primarily excreted renally, with >90% of infused loads eliminated by kidneys. Fecal and biliary excretion are negligible.
Half-life	Not applicable as terminal half-life for dextrose is not defined due to rapid metabolism; for potassium, distribution half-life ~1-1.5 h, terminal half-life ~12-24 h reflecting renal elimination.
Protein binding	Not determined; glucose and electrolytes are not protein-bound.
Volume of Distribution	Glucose distributes into total body water ~0.55 L/kg; sodium and chloride distribute into extracellular fluid ~0.2 L/kg; potassium distributes into total body water ~0.55 L/kg with preferential intracellular distribution (98% in cells).
Bioavailability	Intravenous: 100%.
Onset of Action	Intravenous: Immediate (seconds to minutes) for expansion of extracellular fluid volume and correction of electrolyte deficits.
Duration of Action	Intravenous: 1-2 hours for volume expansion; electrolyte effects persist as determined by renal elimination and ongoing losses.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

Intravenous infusion at a rate of 100-200 mL/hour (2-4 mL/kg/hour) based on fluid and electrolyte requirements. Maximum infusion rate: 1000 mL/hour. Adjust according to serum potassium levels.

Dosage form	INJECTABLE
Renal impairment	GFR 30-50 mL/min: No dose adjustment; monitor serum potassium. GFR 15-29 mL/min: Reduce potassium to 10-15 mEq/L or decrease infusion rate by 50%. GFR <15 mL/min: Avoid use; use potassium-free solution or adjust based on serum potassium.
Liver impairment	Child-Pugh A: No adjustment. Child-Pugh B: Reduce potassium to 10-15 mEq/L. Child-Pugh C: Avoid use or use with extreme caution; monitor potassium closely.
Pediatric use	Neonates and infants: 0.5-1.0 mEq/kg/day of potassium; adjust per serum levels. Children: Maintenance fluid with potassium 20-40 mEq/L at a rate of 100 mL/kg/day for first 10 kg, then 50 mL/kg/day for next 10 kg, then 20 mL/kg/day for additional weight. Maximum infusion rate: 0.5 mEq/kg/hour.
Geriatric use	Start at lower infusion rate (50-100 mL/hour) with frequent monitoring of serum potassium and renal function. Avoid if GFR <30 mL/min; use caution in patients with heart failure or hypertension.

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	Compatible with breastfeeding; components are normal plasma constituents. No M/P ratio available as they are not drugs but nutrients/electrolytes. Excretion in milk mirrors maternal plasma levels.
Teratogenic Risk	No teratogenic risk; dextrose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride are physiological substances. No fetal harm reported in any trimester when used as indicated.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

None

Side Effect Profile

Common Effects	fluid replacement
Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia","Severe renal impairment with oliguria","Anuria","Hypersensitivity to any component"]

Clinical Precautions

Precautions

["Risk of fluid overload in patients with cardiac or renal impairment","Hyperkalemia risk with rapid potassium infusion","Phlebitis at infusion site","Monitor serum electrolytes and glucose levels"]

Clinical Tips & Counseling

Drug interactions

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DEXTROSE 5%, SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.2% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 15MEQ (K)

Clinical safety rating: safe

No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.

How it works

Dextrose provides a source of calories and energy; sodium chloride and potassium chloride replenish electrolytes and maintain fluid balance.

What the body does with it

Metabolism	Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; potassium is excreted renally; sodium is excreted renally.
Excretion	Renal: glucose is completely reabsorbed under normal conditions; excess is excreted unchanged in urine. Sodium, chloride, and potassium are primarily excreted renally, with >90% of infused loads eliminated by kidneys. Fecal and biliary excretion are negligible.
Half-life	Not applicable as terminal half-life for dextrose is not defined due to rapid metabolism; for potassium, distribution half-life ~1-1.5 h, terminal half-life ~12-24 h reflecting renal elimination.
Protein binding	Not determined; glucose and electrolytes are not protein-bound.
Volume of Distribution	Glucose distributes into total body water ~0.55 L/kg; sodium and chloride distribute into extracellular fluid ~0.2 L/kg; potassium distributes into total body water ~0.55 L/kg with preferential intracellular distribution (98% in cells).
Bioavailability	Intravenous: 100%.
Onset of Action	Intravenous: Immediate (seconds to minutes) for expansion of extracellular fluid volume and correction of electrolyte deficits.
Duration of Action	Intravenous: 1-2 hours for volume expansion; electrolyte effects persist as determined by renal elimination and ongoing losses.

Classification & Brands

Dosing & administration

Intravenous infusion at a rate of 100-200 mL/hour (2-4 mL/kg/hour) based on fluid and electrolyte requirements. Maximum infusion rate: 1000 mL/hour. Adjust according to serum potassium levels.

Dosage form	INJECTABLE
Renal impairment	GFR 30-50 mL/min: No dose adjustment; monitor serum potassium. GFR 15-29 mL/min: Reduce potassium to 10-15 mEq/L or decrease infusion rate by 50%. GFR <15 mL/min: Avoid use; use potassium-free solution or adjust based on serum potassium.
Liver impairment	Child-Pugh A: No adjustment. Child-Pugh B: Reduce potassium to 10-15 mEq/L. Child-Pugh C: Avoid use or use with extreme caution; monitor potassium closely.
Pediatric use	Neonates and infants: 0.5-1.0 mEq/kg/day of potassium; adjust per serum levels. Children: Maintenance fluid with potassium 20-40 mEq/L at a rate of 100 mL/kg/day for first 10 kg, then 50 mL/kg/day for next 10 kg, then 20 mL/kg/day for additional weight. Maximum infusion rate: 0.5 mEq/kg/hour.
Geriatric use	Start at lower infusion rate (50-100 mL/hour) with frequent monitoring of serum potassium and renal function. Avoid if GFR <30 mL/min; use caution in patients with heart failure or hypertension.

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	Compatible with breastfeeding; components are normal plasma constituents. No M/P ratio available as they are not drugs but nutrients/electrolytes. Excretion in milk mirrors maternal plasma levels.
Teratogenic Risk	No teratogenic risk; dextrose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride are physiological substances. No fetal harm reported in any trimester when used as indicated.

Warnings & precautions

■ FDA Black Box Warning

None

Side Effect Profile

Common Effects	fluid replacement
Serious Effects

Absolute Contraindications

["Hyperkalemia","Severe renal impairment with oliguria","Anuria","Hypersensitivity to any component"]

Clinical Precautions

Precautions

["Risk of fluid overload in patients with cardiac or renal impairment","Hyperkalemia risk with rapid potassium infusion","Phlebitis at infusion site","Monitor serum electrolytes and glucose levels"]

Clinical Tips & Counseling

Drug interactions

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