Drug Cards

Dextrose

D50, D25, D10
Class:
Carbohydrate, Hypertonic solution.
Mechanism of Action:
Rapidly increases serum glucose levels.
Indications:
Altered level of consciousness secondary to hypoglycemia.
Contraindications:
  • Intracranial hemorrhage.
  • Delirium tremens.
Adverse reactions:
  • Extravagation leads to tissue necrosis.
  • Warmth, pain, burning, thrombophlebitis, rhabdomyositis.
Drug Interactions
Sodium bicarbonate, coumadin.
Adult Dosage and Administration
12.5-25 gram slow IV; may be repeated as necessary.
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Pediatric Dosage and Administration:
0.5-1 gram/kg/dose slow IV; may be repeated as necessary.
Do not use D50 in infants, D10 is preferred.
Duration of Action
  • Onset: less than 1 minute.
  • Peak effects: variable.
  • Duration: variable.
Special Considerations:
  • Draw blood sugar before administering.
  • Do not administer to patients with known CVA unless hypoglycemia documented.
Making D10 from D50 - The No Waste Method
Final D10 Concentration = 1g / 10mL
  1. Remove and discard 50 ml of saline from a 250 ml IV bag of NS.
  2. Add 50 ml (25g) of D50 to the IV bag - invert the bag several times to mix and then label the bag.
  • For pediatric dosing: remove desired volume to be administered from the IV bag with the appropriate size syringe.