Dextrose (glucose)
Hypoglycaemia: 150–200 mL of 10% dextrose IV in adults; 2 mL/kg of 10% in children. 5% dextrose is mainly free water.
On this page
Dose
| Indication | Dose |
|---|---|
| Hypoglycaemia (adult) | 150–200 mL of 10% dextrose IV over 15 minutes (or 75–100 mL of 20%; 50 mL of 25% or 50% if nothing else, into a large vein) |
| Hypoglycaemia (child) | 2 mL/kg of 10% dextrose IV |
| With insulin for hyperkalaemia | 50 mL of 50% (25 g) with 10 units of soluble insulin |
| DKA, glucose below 250 mg/dL | 10% dextrose 125 mL/hour alongside 0.9% saline |
| Maintenance | 5% dextrose as part of daily water requirement |
Cautions
- 50% dextrose damages veins and tissue if it leaks; 10% is preferred.
- Large volumes of 5% dextrose cause low sodium.
- Give thiamine first in alcohol use or malnutrition.
Frequently asked questions
How much dextrose is given for hypoglycaemia in children?
2 mL/kg of 10% dextrose IV.
Used in these guides
- A patient is fitting
- DKA and HHS
- Diarrhoea and dehydration in children
- Heat stroke
- High potassium (hyperkalaemia)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
- Malaria
- Reduced consciousness (the unconscious patient)
- Sepsis in children
- Status epilepticus
- The deteriorating patient and NEWS2
- The drowsy patient
- Wheat pill (aluminium phosphide) poisoning
Sources
Doses on this page are typical doses from the sources above. Always confirm with a current drug reference, the product leaflet and your hospital protocol, especially in children, pregnancy and kidney or liver disease.
For FCPS Part 1
Revising for FCPS Part 1? Dextrose is covered in our textbook chapter IV fluids and electrolytes, with practice MCQs.