Glucose 5% = Dextrose 5%

Indications

Vehicle for the administration of drugs by IV infusion.

Forms and strengths

500 ml and 1000 ml bottles or bags.

Composition

5% isotonic glucose solution (50 mg of glucose/ml) for infusion.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not use 5% glucose solution for the administration of hydralazine, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, aciclovir, phenytoin, or bleomycin.
• Amoxicillin diluted in 5% glucose must be administered in less than one hour. If infusion over more than one hour is required, use 0.9% sodium chloride.
• This solution does not contain electrolytes or lactate. Its use is not recommended for the IV treatment of dehydration. Use Ringer lactate or 0.9% sodium chloride solutions.
• Low nutritional value: 200 kcal/litre.
• Also comes in a premixed solution of 5% glucose and Ringer lactate, which is the preferred infusion solution for maintenance fluids in children.