Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee of New York City Prehospital Advanced Life Support Protocols Copyright January 1996 (3/96)

DEXTROSE 50%

Class | Description | Onset and Duration | Indications | Contraindications | Adverse Reactions | Drug Interactions | How Supplied | Dosage and Administration | Special Considerations

DEXTROSE 50%
Class

Carbohydrate, hypertonic solution

DEXTROSE 50%
Description

The term dextrose is used to describe the six-carbon sugar d-glucose, the principal form of carbohydrate used by the body. D50 is used in emergency care to treat hypoglycemia and to manage coma of unknown origin.

DEXTROSE 50%
Onset & Duration

Onset:

< = 1 min

Duration:

Depends on the degree of hypoglycemia

DEXTROSE 50%
Indications

Hypoglycemia
Altered level of consciousness
Coma of unknown etiology
Seizure of unknown etiology
Refractory cardiac arrest (controversial)

DEXTROSE 50%
Contraindications

There are no significant contraindications for IV administration of 50% dextrose in emergency care.

DEXTROSE 50%
Adverse Reactions

Warmth, pain, burning from medication infusion, thrombophlebitis, rhabdomyositis

DEXTROSE 50%
Drug Interactions

There are no significant drug interactions with other emergency medications.

DEXTROSE 50%
How Supplied

25 g/50 ml prefilled syringe (500 mg/ml)

DEXTROSE 50%
Dosage and Administration

Adult:

12.5-25 g slow IV. May be repeated once

Pediatric:

0.5-1 g/kg/dose slow IV. May be repeated once

DEXTROSE 50%
Special Considerations

Pregnancy safety: NA
Draw blood sample before administration if possible.
Use blood-glucose reagent strips (Dextrostix) or glucometer before administration if possible.
Extravasation may cause tissue necrosis; use a large vein and aspirate occasionally to ensure route patency.
D50 sometimes precipitates severe neurological symptoms (Wernicke's encephalopathy) in thiamine-deficient patients such as alcoholics. (This can be prevented by administering 100 mg of thiamine, IV.)

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