Dextrose Content in IV Fluids

Composition and Clinical Applications

• A liter of D5 normal saline IV fluid contains 50 grams of dextrose, according to the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1, 2, 3
• D5 refers to 5% dextrose solution, which means 5 grams of dextrose per 100 mL, as stated by the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1, 2
• The normal saline component consists of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (9 grams of sodium chloride per liter), as reported by the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 2, 5
• D5 normal saline is used as a vehicle for medication administration, as noted by the Annals of Oncology 6
• It is also used for fluid resuscitation with concurrent need for glucose supplementation, according to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 7
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as reported by MMWR Recommendations and Reports, recommends D5 normal saline as a component in treatment protocols for conditions like cerebral malaria 1, 2
• When used as a vehicle for medications like vasopressors, the dextrose content must be considered in patients with diabetes or other glucose metabolism disorders, as stated by the Annals of Oncology and Critical Care Medicine 8, 9