DEXTROSE 5%, SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.2% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 30MEQ
Clinical safety rating: safe
No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.
Dextrose provides calories and serves as a source of glucose, which is metabolized to carbon dioxide and water, yielding energy. Sodium and chloride are major electrolytes that maintain osmolality and acid-base balance. Potassium is essential for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and maintaining intracellular tonicity.
| Metabolism | Dextrose is metabolized via glycolysis and the citric acid cycle; sodium and chloride are not metabolized; potassium is excreted primarily by the kidneys. |
| Excretion | Renal: >95% as free glucose, sodium, and potassium. Biliary/fecal: <5%. |
| Half-life | Glucose: 1.5–2 hours (endogenous); sodium and potassium follow body homeostatic regulation with no defined half-life in isolation. |
| Protein binding | Glucose: negligible (<5%); potassium: none; sodium: none. |
| Volume of Distribution | Glucose: 0.2–0.4 L/kg (extracellular fluid); sodium: 0.15–0.3 L/kg; potassium: 4–5 L/kg (distributes into cells). |
| Bioavailability | Intravenous: 100%. |
| Onset of Action | Intravenous: immediate (within seconds to minutes) for hemodynamic and electrolyte effects. |
| Duration of Action | Intravenous: 1–2 hours for glucose elevation; electrolyte effects persist until redistribution or renal excretion. |
Intravenous infusion; dose determined by individual patient requirements, fluid and electrolyte status, serum potassium concentration, and acid-base balance; typical adult rate: 100-200 mL/hour (up to 2 L/day) as maintenance fluid.
| Dosage form | INJECTABLE |
| Renal impairment | GFR >50 mL/min: no adjustment; GFR 10-50 mL/min: reduce potassium chloride dose by 25-50% and monitor serum potassium; GFR <10 mL/min: avoid potassium chloride or use with extreme caution, reduce dose by 50-75%. |
| Liver impairment | Child-Pugh A: no adjustment; Child-Pugh B/C: use with caution, monitor serum potassium and fluid status, as hepatic impairment may affect potassium handling; no specific dose reduction guidelines. |
| Pediatric use | Intravenous infusion; weight-based: 100-120 mL/kg/day for maintenance, adjusted for losses; potassium chloride content provides 0.5-1 mEq/kg/day typically; infusion rate not to exceed 0.5 mEq/kg/hour of potassium. |
| Geriatric use | Use lower initial doses; monitor renal function and serum potassium closely; typical maintenance fluid rate 50-100 mL/hour due to decreased renal reserve and higher risk of fluid overload and hyperkalemia. |
| 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 as normal plasma constituents. M/P ratio not applicable as dextrose and electrolytes are endogenous. Compatible with breastfeeding. |
| Teratogenic Risk | No evidence of teratogenicity in animal or human studies. Dextrose and electrolytes are physiological components; potassium chloride at recommended doses is not associated with fetal malformations. Use in pregnancy is generally safe when clinically indicated. |
■ FDA Black Box Warning
None
| Common Effects | fluid replacement |
| Serious Effects |
["Hyperkalemia (for potassium-containing solutions)","Severe renal impairment with oliguria or anuria","Hypersensitivity to any component","Intracranial or intraspinal hemorrhage (for dextrose solutions)"]
| Precautions | ["Risk of hyperglycemia and hyperosmolality in patients with impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, or renal failure","Potential for fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, or acidosis","Administer with caution in patients with heart failure, pulmonary edema, or renal impairment","Monitor serum glucose, electrolytes, and fluid balance"] |
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| Fetal Monitoring | Monitor maternal serum electrolytes (potassium, sodium, glucose), fluid balance, and renal function. Fetal monitoring as per clinical situation (e.g., fetal heart rate in preterm labor or maternal ketoacidosis). |
| Fertility Effects | No known adverse effects on fertility. |