DEXTROSE 5%, SODIUM CHLORIDE 0.33% AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 40MEQ IN PLASTIC CONTAINER
Clinical safety rating: safe
No significant drug interactions Can cause hypernatremia and fluid overload.
Dextrose provides glucose for cellular energy metabolism; sodium chloride corrects electrolyte imbalances; potassium chloride maintains intracellular potassium levels and repolarizes cell membranes.
| Metabolism | Dextrose undergoes glycolysis and oxidative metabolism; potassium is primarily excreted by the kidneys; sodium is regulated by renal mechanisms. |
| Excretion | Dextrose is metabolized to CO2 and water, with <5% excreted unchanged renally. Sodium and chloride are primarily excreted renally (≥90%), with minimal fecal or biliary elimination. Potassium is >90% excreted renally, with minor fecal loss (≤8%). |
| Half-life | Dextrose: <1 hour (rapidly metabolized). Sodium/chloride/potassium: not applicable as electrolytes are regulated by homeostatic mechanisms, not eliminated via half-life. |
| Protein binding | Dextrose: negligible. Sodium, chloride: negligible. Potassium: minimal (unbound in blood). |
| Volume of Distribution | Dextrose: Vd 0.2-0.3 L/kg (total body water). Sodium: Vd ~0.6 L/kg (extracellular water). Chloride: Vd ~0.3 L/kg. Potassium: Vd ~0.4 L/kg (mostly intracellular; distribution after infusion is delayed). |
| Bioavailability | Intravenous: 100% (complete bioavailability). Oral: not applicable; this product is for IV use only. |
| Onset of Action | Intravenous: rapid; clinical effects (fluid/electrolyte correction) begin within minutes of infusion initiation. |
| Duration of Action | Duration of fluid/electrolyte effects is short-lived, necessitating continuous infusion or intermittent dosing based on clinical need. Dextrose effects last 30 minutes to 1 hour post-infusion; electrolyte effects persist as long as infusion continues plus residual redistribution. |
Intravenous infusion; typical adult maintenance dose is 1000-2000 mL per day at a rate of 50-100 mL/hour, providing 40 mEq of potassium chloride per liter.
| Dosage form | INJECTABLE |
| Renal impairment | GFR >50 mL/min: no adjustment. GFR 10-50 mL/min: reduce daily potassium to 0.5-1 mEq/kg; monitor potassium and adjust rate. GFR <10 mL/min: avoid use or use with extreme caution; reduce potassium intake to <0.5 mEq/kg/day and monitor ECG. |
| Liver impairment | Child-Pugh A: no adjustment. Child-Pugh B: reduce potassium dose by 50% and monitor serum potassium. Child-Pugh C: avoid use; alternative potassium replacement strategies recommended. |
| Pediatric use | Intravenous infusion; dose based on fluid and electrolyte needs: dextrose 5% with 0.33% sodium chloride and 40 mEq/L potassium chloride. Typical starting rate: 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; adjust according to serum potassium and glucose levels. Do not exceed 0.5-1 mEq/kg/hour of potassium. |
| Geriatric use | Intravenous infusion; start at lower end of adult dosing (e.g., 50-100 mL/hour) and titrate based on renal function, potassium levels, and fluid status. Monitor for volume overload and hyperkalemia due to age-related decrease in renal function and total body potassium. Consider using potassium chloride 20 mEq/L if hypokalemia is mild. |
| 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 | Dextrose, sodium, potassium, and chloride are normal constituents of breast milk. Exogenous administration at therapeutic doses does not significantly alter milk composition. M/P ratio: not applicable as these are endogenous substances. Generally considered compatible with breastfeeding when used as per standard clinical indications. |
| Teratogenic Risk |
■ FDA Black Box Warning
Concentrated potassium solutions should be diluted and administered slowly to avoid fatal hyperkalemia. Do not administer unless solution is clear and container undamaged.
| Common Effects | fluid replacement |
| Serious Effects |
["Hyperkalemia","Severe renal impairment (anuria/oliguria)","Hypernatremia","Fluid overload (e.g., pulmonary edema, heart failure)","Hypersensitivity to any component"]
| Precautions | ["Monitor serum potassium, glucose, and electrolytes during therapy","Risk of fluid overload in patients with renal impairment or heart failure","May cause hyperkalemia if given too rapidly or with potassium-sparing diuretics","Use with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus or glucose intolerance"] |
Loading safety data…
| Dextrose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride are essential nutrients; at physiological doses, they are not associated with teratogenic effects. High-dose potassium chloride may cause maternal hyperkalemia, which can lead to fetal arrhythmia. Trimester-specific risks: 1st trimester: no known structural teratogenicity. 2nd/3rd trimester: electrolyte imbalances may affect fetal homeostasis; hyperkalemia may induce fetal bradycardia or arrhythmia. |
| Fetal Monitoring | Monitor maternal serum electrolytes (potassium, sodium, glucose, chloride) and renal function. Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring during intravenous infusion if maternal hyperkalemia or rapid fluid shifts occur. Assess for signs of fluid overload or electrolyte imbalance in mother and fetus. |
| Fertility Effects | No known adverse effects on fertility at therapeutic doses. Electrolyte disturbances secondary to misuse may impact reproductive function. |