Glucose (Glucose Monohydrate)

Glucose injection is indicated for the rapid treatment of low blood sugar and for providing an immediate source of carbohydrate in various clinical situations.

• Acute hypoglycemia in patients receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
• Energy support during surgery or anesthesia when oral intake is not possible.
• Management of electrolyte imbalances that require carbohydrate supplementation.
• Treatment of hyperkalemia as part of a regimen to shift potassium intracellularly.
• Nutritional support in patients unable to tolerate enteral feeding.

Intravenous glucose may cause a range of reactions, most of which are mild and transient, while rare serious events can occur.

Common

• Transient rise in blood glucose levels that typically normalize within hours.
• Local discomfort, warmth, or irritation at the infusion site during administration.
• Nausea, mild vomiting, or abdominal discomfort shortly after infusion.

Serious

• Severe hyperglycemia leading to osmotic diuresis, dehydration, and electrolyte loss.
• Allergic reactions ranging from skin rash and itching to full‑body anaphylaxis.
• Pulmonary edema or cardiac arrhythmias in patients with underlying heart or fluid‑balance disorders.

When using intravenous glucose, clinicians should observe several precautions to minimize risks and ensure safe administration.

• Verify patient’s blood glucose level before infusion to avoid overt hyperglycemia.
• Adjust infusion rate in patients with renal or cardiac insufficiency to prevent fluid overload.
• Monitor electrolytes, especially potassium, during and after administration.
• Use aseptic technique to reduce risk of infection at the injection site.
• Avoid rapid bolus administration in neonates and infants.
• Assess for history of hypersensitivity to glucose solutions before use.

Glucose injection can interact with other medications or clinical conditions, requiring careful consideration of concurrent therapies.

Avoid

• Co‑administration with high‑dose insulin without monitoring, which may precipitate severe hypoglycemia.
• Simultaneous infusion of hypertonic dextrose solutions, which can cause excessive hyperglycemia.

Use with caution

• Concurrent use of potassium‑sparing diuretics, as rapid glucose infusion may shift potassium intracellularly.
• Administration with beta‑adrenergic agonists, which can augment glucose release and affect blood sugar control.
• Patients receiving total parenteral nutrition, requiring adjustment of carbohydrate content.