The dextrose is a dextrose in water applied intravenously. It is used to treat fluid loss and provide caloric intake to the body (Drugs.com, 2000-2017). In Figure 1 you can see the image of an intravenous bag of glucose serum.
The solution can be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 70 percent, which would be hypertonic solutions (they generate osmotic pressure when water moves outside the cell). At five percent, it would be an isotonic solution (it does not generate osmotic pressure). 5% glucose solutions are the most commonly used.
Dextrose is the name of a simple sugar, which is extracted from cereals like corn and is chemically identical to glucose (blood sugar).
Dextrose is often used as a sweetener in baking products, and it can be commonly found in items such as processed foods and in corn syrup. It is a carbohydrate with the formula C6H12O6 (Rachel Nall, 2016). Its structure is illustrated in figure 2.
Figure 2: Dextrose structure.
Glucose is one of the main metabolites in the body that can be used for energy. Its excess is stored in the form of glycogen and triglycerides.
Description of glucose whey
The 5% Dextrose Solution is sterile and non-pyrogenic. It is a parenteral solution, which contains dextrose in water for injection intended for intravenous administration.
Each 100 mL of 5% serum contains 5 grams of dextrose dissolved in water for injection. The caloric value is 170 kcal / L and the pH of the solution is 4.3.
The osmolarity is 252 mOsmol, which is slightly isotonic. However, once the glucose solution enters the body, the cells rapidly consume the glucose. This leaves mainly water and causes the serum to become hypotonic in relation to the plasma surrounding the cells.
Consequently, the now hypotonic solution causes an osmotic shift of water to and from the bloodstream and into the cells (Intravenous Fluid, 2005).
This solution does not contain any added bacteriostatic agent, antimicrobial agent or buffer, and is intended as a single dose injection only. When smaller doses are required, the unused portion should be discarded.
5% Glucose Serum is a parenteral fluid and replenishment nutrient. It is chemically designated D-glucose monohydrate (C6H12O6 • H2O) (dextrose (Dextrose monohydrate) injection, solution, 2007).
Prescriptions and uses
5% and 10% dextrose solutions are used to provide fluid and energy to patients. 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 70% dextrose solutions are used for proteins and nutrients in intravenous feeding formulations (Omudhome Ogbru, 2015).
Fever, vomiting, and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to dehydration. Athletes who have over-exercised in hot weather may also require rehydration with intravenous (IV) fluids.
An IV for rehydration can be in place for several hours to several days, and is generally used if a patient is unable to drink fluids (Advameg, Inc, SF).
Through glucose transporters, glut, a process of co-transport occurs with water, sodium and glucose. In this process, these three molecules enter together from the intestinal lumen, into the epithelial cell, and from there to the intravascular compartment.
According to Valmore Bermúdez (2007): «the increase in the concentration of these two solutes generates enough osmotic force to drive the movement of water towards the epithelial cell in a magnitude of about 9-10 liters of H2O in 24 hours, and even, the reabsorption of about 180 liters of water per day in the renal tubules, which explains the very effective rehydration process carried out by this type of serum ».
Glucose serum is also used to treat hypoglycemia and insulin shock. It is also used for nutritional support for patients who are unable to eat due to illness, injury, or other medical conditions.
Also, it is sometimes used as a diluent (liquid) for the preparation of injectable medications in an IV bag. A diluent provides a large amount of fluid in which to dilute a small amount of medicine.
The diluent helps get the medicine into your bloodstream through the IV. This helps doctors inject the medicine slowly and more safely into the body.
This medication should not be used if you are allergic to dextrose. To ensure that 5% dextrose in water can be used safely, your doctor should be told if you have any of these other conditions:
- Diabetes
- Respiratory problems.
- Electrolyte imbalance (such as low potassium levels in the blood).
- Kidney or liver disease.
- Any allergies to foods or medications.
- If you receive regular blood transfusions.
In the event of pregnancy, it is not known whether 5% dextrose in water will harm an unborn baby. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
It is not known whether the 5% dextrose in water passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not use this medicine without first telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding your baby.
Side effects and risks
You should stop using the glucose serum and call a doctor immediately if you have a serious side effect such as:
- Severe burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle.
- Heat, redness, drainage, or bleeding where the IV was placed.
- Fever, constant cough.
- High blood sugar level.
- Headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, feeling unsteady, hallucinations, fainting, seizures, shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.
- Low potassium level.
- Anxiety, sweating, pale skin, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, pain, fast or irregular heartbeat.
Less serious side effects may include:
- Mild irritation around the IV needle.
- Stomach ache.
- Swelling in the hands or feet
This is not a complete list of side effects, others could be present. Call your doctor for advice on side effects and how to treat them.
References
- Advameg, Inc. (SF). Intravenous rehydration. Retrieved from healthofchildren.com: healthofchildren.com.
- dextrose (Dextrose monohydrate) injection, solution. (2007, April). Retrieved from dailymed.nlm.nih.gov: dailymed.nlm.nih.gov.
- com. (2000-2017). dextrose 5% in water. Retrieved from Drugs.com: drugs.com.
- Intravenous Fluid. (2005, September 3). Retrieved from catalog.pearsoned.co.uk: catalog.pearsoned.co.uk.
- Omudhome Ogbru, PJ (2015, September 28). dextrose monohydrate solution. Retrieved from MedicineNet.com: medicinenet.com.
- Rachel Nall, RB (2016, July 29). Dextrose. Retrieved from healthline.com.
- Valmore Bermúdez, FB (2007). Molecular biology of glucose transporters: classification, structure and distribution. Venezuelan Archives of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Volume 26, number 2, 2007, 76-86. scielo.org.ve.