Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Glucose monohydrate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
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diabetes that is not adequately treated, allowing your blood sugar levels to rise above normal (uncompensated diabetes) states of glucose intolerance, for example: when the body's metabolism does not function correctly, e.g. due to severe illness (metabolic stress) hyperosmolar coma (unconsciousness). This is a type of coma that can occur if you have diabetes and do not receive enough medicine. a higher amount of sugar in the blood than normal (hyperglycaemia) a higher level of lactate in the blood than normal (hyperlactataemia) intolerance (hypersensitivity) to glucose. This is can occur in patients with an allergy to corn.
If another medicine is added to your solution for infusion, always read the Package Leaflet of that medicine. This way you can check to see if that medicine is safe for you to take.
Glucose 5% Infusion is a solution of sugar (glucose) in water. Glucose is one of the body's sources of energy. This solution for infusion provides 200 kilocalories per litre.
Warnings and precautions
Glucose 5% Infusion is used:
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Please tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
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if you have recently had a stroke (acute ischaemic stroke). High levels of sugar in the blood can worsen the effects of stroke and affect recovery if you have metabolic disturbances due to starvation or due to a diet which does not provide the right proportion of the necessary nutrients (malnutrition) if you have low levels of thiamine (vitamin B1) in your body. This can happen if you suffer from chronic alcoholism. allergy to corn (Glucose 5% Infusion contains sugar derived from corn) if you have a condition that could cause high levels of vasopressin, a hormone regulating fluid in your body. You may have too much vasopressin in your body because, for example, o you have had a sudden and serious illness, o you are in pain, o you have had surgery, o you have infections, burns, brain disease o diseases linked to your heart, liver, kidneys or central nervous system, o because you are taking certain medicines (see also below "Other medicines and Glucose 5% Infusion").
As Glucose 5% Infusion contains sugar (glucose), it can cause a high level of sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia). If this occurs, your doctor may:
This may increase the risk of low level of sodium in your blood and can lead to headache, nausea, seizures, lethargy, coma, swelling of the brain and death. Brain swelling increases the risk of death and brain damage. People who are at higher risk of brain swelling are: o children o women (particularly if you are of a fertile age) o people who have problems with their brain fluid levels, for example, because of meningitis, bleeding in the skull or a brain injury.
When this infusion is given to children the child's doctor will take blood and urine samples to monitor the amount of electrolytes, such as potassium, in the blood (plasma electrolytes).
Glucose 5% Infusion must not be given through the same needle as a blood transfusion. This can damage the red blood cells or cause them to clump together. Your doctor will take into account if you are receiving parenteral nutrition (nutrition given by infusion into a vein). During long term treatment with Glucose 5% Infusion you may need to be given extra nutrition.
Children Glucose 5% Infusion should be given with special care in children. Children must be given Glucose 5% Infusion by a doctor or nurse. The amount given must be decided by a doctor specialising in the care of children and will depend upon the child's age, weight, and condition. If the Glucose 5% Infusion is used to deliver or dilute another medicine, or if other medicines are given at the same time, this may also affect the dose.
Newborns, especially those born premature and with a low birth weight, are at increased risk of developing a too low or too high level of sugar in the blood (hypo- or hyperglycaemia) and, therefore, need close monitoring during treatment with intravenous glucose solutions to ensure adequate control of the sugar levels in order to avoid potential long term adverse effects. Low sugar levels in newborns can cause prolonged seizures, coma and brain damage. High sugar levels have been associated with bleeding into the brain, bacterial and fungal infection, damage to the eye (retinopathy of prematurity), infections in the intestinal track (necrotizing enterocolitis), lung problems (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), prolonged length of hospital stay and death.
When you are given this infusion, your doctor will take blood and urine samples to monitor:
When administered to a newborn baby, the solution bag could be connected to an infusion pump device, which allows exact delivery of the 2
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Pregnancy
required quantity of solution across the defined time interval. Your doctor or nurse will be monitoring the device to ensure safe administration.
Glucose 5% Infusion can be used during pregnancy. However, caution should be taken when glucose solution is used during child birth.
Children (including neonates and older children) who are given Glucose 5% Infusion are at higher risk of developing a low sodium level in the blood (hypoosmotic hyponatraemia) and a disorder affecting the brain due to low plasma levels of sodium (hyponatraemic encephalopathy).
Fertility There are no adequate data of the effect of Glucose 5% Infusion on fertility. However, no effect on fertility is expected. Lactation There are no adequate data of using Glucose 5% Infusion during breast-feeding. However, no effect on breast-feeding is expected. Glucose solution can be used during breast-feeding.
Other medicines and Glucose 5% Infusion Tell your doctor or nurse if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines. Glucose 5% Infusion and other medicines taken at the same time can affect each other.
If another medicine is to be added to your solution for infusion during pregnancy or breast-feeding you should:
Do not take Glucose 5% Infusion with certain hormones (catecholamines) including adrenaline or steroids as they can increase the level of sugar in your blood. Some medicines act on the hormone vasopressin. These may include:
Driving and using machines
Glucose 5% Infusion with food and drink
Glucose 5% Infusion will usually be given to you through a plastic tube attached to a needle in a vein. Usually a vein in your arm is used to give you the infusion. However, your doctor may use another method to give you the medicine.
Ask your doctor or nurse for advice before driving or using machines.
Glucose 5% Infusion 3. How you will be given Glucose 5% Infusion 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Glucose 5% Infusion 6. Contents of the pack and other information
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Glucose 5% Infusion You will be given Glucose 5% Infusion by a doctor or nurse. Your doctor will decide on how much you need and when it is to be given. This will depend on your age, weight, condition, the reason for treatment and whether or not the infusion is being used to deliver or dilute another medicine. The amount you are given may also be affected by other treatments you are receiving. You should NOT be given Glucose 5% Infusion if there are particles floating in the solution or if the pack is damaged in any way.
You should ask your doctor about what you can eat or drink.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Glucose 5% Infusion should be given slowly to prevent you producing too much urine (osmotic diuresis).
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or nurse for advice before taking this medicine. 3
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Before and during the infusion, your doctor will monitor:
4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The side effects can include:
Any unused solution should be thrown away. You should NOT be given an infusion of Glucose 5% Infusion from a bag that has been partly used.
If you receive more Glucose 5% Infusion than you should If you are given too much Glucose 5% Infusion (overinfusion) or it is given too fast, this may lead to the following symptoms:
Stop receiving your Glucose 5% Infusion
If a medicine has been added to the solution for infusion, the added medicine may also cause side effects. These side effects will depend on the medicine that has been added. You should read the Package Leaflet of the added medicine for a list of possible symptoms.
Your doctor will decide when to stop giving you this infusion. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or nurse.
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Reporting of side effects
What Glucose 5% Infusion looks like and contents of the pack
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed below. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Glucose 5% Infusion is a clear solution, free from visible particles. It is supplied in polyolefin/polyamide plastic bags (Viaflo). Each bag is wrapped in a sealed, protective, outer plastic overpouch The bag sizes are:
United Kingdom: Via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard Ireland: HPRA Pharmacovigilance, Earlsfort Terrace, IRL – Dublin 2; Tel: +353 1 6764971; Fax: +353 1 6762517. Website: www.hpra.ie; E-mail: [email protected].
Pack sizes:
Malta ADR Reporting Website: www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/adrportal
Glucose 5% Infusion Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. 50 ml and 100 ml bags: Do not store above 30°C.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed
250 ml, 500 ml and 1000 ml bags: This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturers Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Glucose 5% Infusion should NOT be given to you after the expiry date which is stated on the bag after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
United Kingdom Baxter Healthcare Ltd Caxton Way, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3SE United Kingdom
You should not be given Glucose 5% Infusion, if there are particles floating in the solution or if the unit is damaged in any way.
Ireland and Malta Baxter Holding B.V. Kobaltweg 49, 3542CE Utrecht, Netherlands
What Glucose 5% Infusion contains •
The active substance is sugar (glucose): 50 g per litre.
The only other ingredient is water for injections. 5
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For information about Glucose 5% Infusion or to request this leaflet in formats such as audio or large print please contact the Marketing Authorisation Holder: Tel: +44 (0)1635 206345
Manufacturers for Great Britain: Baxter S.A. Boulevard René Branquart, 80 7860 Lessines Belgium Baxter Healthcare Ltd. Caxton Way Thetford Norfolk IP24 3SE United Kingdom Bieffe Medital S.A. Ctra de Biescas-Senegüé 22666 Sabiñánigo (Huesca) Spain Vantive Manufacturing Limited Moneen Road Castlebar County Mayo Ireland Bieffe Medital S.p.A. Via Nuova Provinciale 23034 Grosotto (SO) Italy Manufacturers for Ireland and Malta: Baxter S.A. Boulevard René Branquart, 80 7860 Lessines Belgium Bieffe Medital S.A. Ctra de Biescas-Senegüé 22666 Sabiñánigo (Huesca) Spain Vantive Manufacturing Limited Moneen Road Castlebar County Mayo Ireland Bieffe Medital S.p.A. Via Nuova Provinciale 23034 Grosotto (SO) Italy
This leaflet was last revised in September 2024
Baxter and Viaflo are trademarks of Baxter International lnc.
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Glucose 5% w/v Intravenous Infusion BP The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only:
Adding other medication or using an incorrect administration technique might cause the appearance of fever reactions due to the possible introduction of pyrogens. In case of adverse reaction, infusion must be stopped immediately.
Handling and Preparation
In order to avoid potentially fatal over infusion of intravenous fluids to the neonate, special attention needs to be paid to the method of administration. When using a syringe pump to administer intravenous fluids or medicines to neonates, a bag of fluid should not be left connected to the syringe.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Use only if the solution is clear, without visible particles and if the container is undamaged. Administer immediately following the insertion of infusion set.
When using an infusion pump all clamps on the intravenous administration set must be closed before removing the administration set from the pump, or switching the pump off. This is required regardless of whether the administration set has an anti-free flow device.
Do not remove unit from overwrap until ready for use. The inner bag maintains the sterility of the product. Do not use plastic containers in series connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from the primary container before the administration of the fluid from the secondary container is completed.
The intravenous infusion device and administration equipment must be frequently monitored. Discard after single use. Discard any unused portion.
Pressurizing intravenous solutions contained in flexible plastic containers to increase flow rates can result in air embolism if the residual air in the container is not fully evacuated prior to administration.
Do not reconnect partially used bags. Do not store solutions containing additives. When introducing additives to Glucose 5% Infusion aseptic technique must be used.
Use of a vented intravenous administration set with the vent in the open position could result in air embolism. Vented intravenous administration sets with the vent in the open position should not be used with flexible plastic containers.
Mix the solution thoroughly when additives have been introduced.
1. Opening a. Remove the Viaflo container from the overpouch just before use. b. Check for minute leaks by squeezing inner bag firmly. If leaks are found, discard solution, as sterility may be impaired. c. Check the solution for limpidity and absence of foreign matters. If solution is not clear or contains foreign matters, discard the solution.
The solution should be administered with sterile equipment using an aseptic technique. The equipment should be primed with the solution in order to prevent air entering the system. Electrolyte supplementation may be indicated according to the clinical needs of the patient. Additives may be introduced before infusion or during infusion through the re-sealable medication port. When additive is used, verify final osmolarity prior to parenteral administration. Thorough and careful aseptic mixing of any additive is mandatory. Solutions containing additives should be used immediately and not stored.
2. Preparation for administration Use sterile material for preparation and administration. 7
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a. Suspend container from eyelet support. b. Remove plastic protector from outlet port at bottom of container:
product must be used immediately unless dilution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user.
5. Incompatibilities of additive medications As with all parenteral solutions, before adding medications, compatibility of these additives with the solution in Viaflo container must be assessed. It is the responsibility of the physician to judge the incompatibility of an additive medication with the Glucose 5% Infusion by checking for eventual colour change and/or eventual appearance of precipitate, insoluble complexes or crystals. The Instructions for Use of the medication to be added must be consulted.
3. Techniques for injection of additive medications
Before adding a drug, verify it is soluble and stable in water at the pH of Glucose 5% Infusion.
Warning: Additives may be incompatible (see Paragraph 5 "Incompatibilities of additive medications" below).
When a compatible medication is added to Glucose 5% Infusion, the solution must be administered immediately.
To add medication before administration a. Disinfect medication port. b. Using syringe with an appropriate needle, puncture re-sealable medication port and inject. c. Mix solution and medication thoroughly. For highdensity medication such as potassium chloride, tap the ports gently while ports are upright and mix.
Those additives known to be incompatible should not be used.
Caution: Do not store bags containing added medications. To add medication during administration a. Close clamp on the set. b. Disinfect medication port. c. Using syringe with an appropriate needle, puncture re-sealable medication port and inject. d. Remove container from IV pole and/or turn to an upright position. e. Evacuate both ports by tapping gently while the container is in an upright position. f. Mix solution and medication thoroughly. g. Return container to in use position, re-open the clamp and continue administration.
4. In-use shelf-life: Additives
Baxter and Viaflo are trademarks of Baxter International lnc.
The chemical and physical stability of any additive at the pH of Glucose 5% Infusion in the Viaflo container should be established prior to use. From a microbiological point of view, the diluted 8
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Glucose 5% Intravenous Infusion BP comes as infusion. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Glucose 5% Intravenous Infusion BP is glucose monohydrate.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: 5% GLUCOSE INTRAVENOUS INFUSION SOLUTION, Potassium Chloride 0.15 % w/v and Glucose 10 % w/v Solution for Infusion BP, Potassium Chloride 0.15 % w/v and Glucose 5% w/v Solution for Infusion -BP. In total there are 26 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Glucose 5% Intravenous Infusion BP, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Glucose 5% is indicated for the treatment of carbohydrate and fluid depletion.
Glucose 5% is also used as a vehicle and diluent for compatible medicinal products for parenteral administration.
Posology
Adults, the Elderly and Children:
The concentration and dosage of Glucose 5% intravenous infusion is determined by several factors including the age, weight and clinical condition of the patient. Serum-glucose concentrations may need to be carefully monitored.
Fluid balance, serum glucose, serum sodium and other electrolytes should be monitored before and during administration, especially in patients with increased non-osmotic vasopressin release (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, SIADH) and in patients co-medicated with vasopressin agonist drugs due to the risk of hyponatraemia. Monitoring of serum sodium is particularly important for physiologically hypotonic fluids. <Product name> may become extremely hypotonic after administration due to glucose metabolization in the body (see sections 4.4, 4.5 and 4.8).
The recommended dosage for treatment of carbohydrate and fluid depletion is:
- for adults: 500 ml to 3 litres / 24h
- for babies and children :
- 0-10 kg body weight:
- 10-20 kg body weight:
- > 20 kg body weight:
100 ml/kg/24h.
1000 ml + 50 ml /kg over 10 kg / 24h.
1500 ml + 20 ml / kg over 20 kg / 24h.
The infusion rate depends on the patient's clinical condition.
Infusion rate should not exceed the patient's glucose oxidation capacities in order to avoid hyperglycaemia. Therefore, the maximum dose ranges from 5mg/kg/min for adults to 10-18 mg/kg/min for babies and children depending on the age and the total body mass.
The recommended dosage when used as a vehicle or diluent ranges from 50 to 250 ml per dose of medicinal product to be administered.
When Glucose 5% is used as a diluent for injectable preparations of other drugs, the dosage and the infusion rate will be principally dictated by the nature and the dose regimen of the prescribed drug.
Paediatric population
The infusion rate and volume depends on the age, weight clinical and metabolic conditions of the patient, concomitant therapy and should be determined by the consulting physician experienced in paediatric intravenous fluid therapy.
Method of administration:
The solution is for administration by intravenous infusion (peripheral or central vein).
When the solution is used for dilution and delivery of therapeutic additives for administration by intravenous infusion, the direction for use with additive therapeutic substances will dictate the appropriate volumes for each therapy.
Glucose 5% intravenous infusion is a isosmotic solution.
Please see section 3 for the information about the osmolarity of the solution.
Precautions to be taken before handling or administering the medicinal product
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Use only if the solution is clear, without visible particles and the container is undamaged. Administer immediately following the insertion of infusion set.
The solution should be administered with sterile equipment using aseptic technique. The equipment should be primed with the solution in order to prevent air entering the system.
Electrolyte supplementation may be indicated according to the clinical needs of the patient. Additives may be introduced before or during infusion through the injection site.
When introducing additives, the final osmolarity of solutions need to be checked. Administration of hyperosmolar solutions may cause venous irritation and phlebitis. Thorough and careful aseptic mixing of any additive is mandatory. Solutions containing additives should be used immediately and not stored.
Please see section 4.4 for the risk of air embolism.
The solution is contraindicated in case of uncompensated diabetes, other known glucose intolerances (such as metabolic stress situations), hyperosmolar coma, hyperglycaemia, hyperlactataemia.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance. See sections 4.4 and 4.8 for corn allergies.
Glucose intravenous infusions are usually isotonic solutions. In the body, however, glucose containing fluids can become extremely physiologically hypotonic due to rapid glucose metabolization (see section 4.2).
Dilution and other effects on serum electrolytes
Depending on the tonicity of the solution, the volume and rate of infusion and depending on a patient's underlying clinical condition and capability to metabolize glucose, intravenous administration of glucose can cause:.
• Hyperosmolality, osmotic diuresis and dehydration
• Hypoosmolality
• Electrolyte disturbances such as
- hypo- or hyperosmotic hyponatraemia (see below),
- hypokalaemia,
- hypophosphataemia,
- hypomagnesaemia,
- overhydration/hypervolaemia and, for example, congested states, including pulmonary congestion and oedema.
The above effects do not only result from the administration of electrolyte-free fluid but also from glucose administration.
Hyponatraemia:
Patients with non-osmotic vasopressin release (e.g. in acute illness, pain, post-operative stress, infections, burns, and CNS diseases), patients with heart-, liver- and kidney diseases and patients exposed to vasopressin agonists (see section 4.5) are at particular risk of acute hyponatraemia upon infusion of hypotonic fluids.
Acute hyponatraemia can lead to acute hyponatraemic encephalopathy (brain oedema) characterized by headache, nausea, seizures, lethargy and vomiting. Patients with brain oedema are at particular risk of severe, irreversible and life-threatening brain injury.
Children, women in the fertile age and patients with reduced cerebral compliance (e.g. meningitis, intracranial bleeding, and cerebral contusion) are at particular risk of the severe and life-threatening brain swelling caused by acute hyponatraemia.
Clinical evaluation and periodic laboratory determinations may be necessary to monitor changes in fluid balance, electrolyte concentrations, and acid-base balance during prolonged parenteral therapy or whenever the condition of the patient or the rate of administration warrants such evaluation.
Particular caution is advised in patients at increased risk of water and electrolyte disturbances that could be aggravated by increased free water load, hyperglycaemia or possibly required insulin administration (see below).
Hyperglycaemia
• Rapid administration of glucose solutions may produce substantial hyperglycaemia and a hyperosmolar syndrome.
• If hyperglycaemia occurs, rate of infusion should be adjusted and/or insulin administered
• If necessary, provide parenteral supplements in potassium.
• Intravenous Glucose 5% should be administered with caution in patients with, for example:
- impaired glucose tolerance (such as in diabetes mellitus, renal failure, or in the presence of sepsis, trauma, or shock),
- severe malnutrition (risk of precipitating a refeeding syndrome – see below),
- thiamine deficiency, e.g., in patients with chronic alcoholism (risk of severe lactic acidosis due to impaired oxidative metabolization of pyruvate),
- patients with ischemic stroke or severe traumatic brain injury
Avoid infusion within the first 24 hours following head trauma. Monitor blood glucose closely as early hyperglycaemia has been associated with poor outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
- newborns
Effects on Insulin Secretion
Prolonged intravenous administration of glucose and associated hyperglycaemia may result in decreased rates of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
Hypersensitivity Reactions
• Hypersensitivity/infusion reactions, including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, have been reported with Glucose solutions (see section 4.8). Solutions containing glucose should therefore be used with caution, if at all, in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products (see section 4.3).
• The infusion must be stopped immediately if any signs or symptoms of a suspected hypersensitivity reaction develop. Appropriate therapeutic countermeasures must be instituted as clinically indicated.
Refeeding syndrome
• Refeeding severely undernourished patients may result in the refeeding syndrome that is characterized by the shift of potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium intracellularly as the patient becomes anabolic. Thiamine deficiency and fluid retention may also develop. Careful monitoring and slowly increasing nutrient intakes while avoiding overfeeding can prevent these complications.
Paediatric population
The infusion rate and volume depends on the age, weight, clinical and metabolic conditions of the patient, concomitant therapy, and should be determined by a consulting physician experienced in paediatric intravenous fluid therapy.
In order to avoid potentially fatal over infusion of intravenous fluids to the neonate, special attention needs to be paid to the method of administration. When using a syringe pump to administer intravenous fluids or medicines to neonates, a bag of fluid should not be left connected to the syringe.
When using an infusion pump all clamps on the intravenous administration set must be closed before removing the administration set from the pump or switching the pump off. This is required regardless of whether the administration set has an anti free flow device.
The intravenous infusion device and administration equipment must be frequently monitored.
Paediatric glycaemia-related issues
Newborns – especially those born premature and with low birth weight - are at increased risk of developing hypo- or hyperglycaemia and therefore need close monitoring during treatment with intravenous glucose solutions to ensure adequate glycaemic control in order to avoid potential long term adverse effects. Hypoglycaemia in the newborn can cause prolonged seizures, coma and cerebral injury. Hyperglycaemia has been associated with intraventricular haemorrhage, late onset bacterial and fungal infection, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, prolonged length of hospital stay, and death.
Paediatric hyponatraemia-related issues
• Children (including neonates and older children) are at increased risk of developing hypoosmotic hyponatraemia as well as for developing hyponatraemic encephalopathy.
• Plasma electrolyte concentrations should be closely monitored in the paediatric population.
• Rapid correction of hypoosmotic hyponatraemia is potentially dangerous (risk of serious neurologic complications).
• Dosage, rate, and duration of administration should be determined by a physician experienced in paediatric intravenous fluid therapy.
Geriatric Use
• When selecting the type of infusion solution and the volume/rate of infusion for a geriatric patient, consider that geriatric patients are generally more likely to have cardiac, renal, hepatic, and other diseases or concomitant drug therapy.
Blood
• Glucose 5% (an aqueous, i.e., electrolyte-free glucose solution) should not be administered simultaneously with, before or after an administration of blood through the same infusion equipment, because haemolysis and pseudoagglutination can occur.
Adding other medication or using an incorrect administration technique might cause the appearance of fever reactions due to the possible introduction of pyrogens. In case of adverse reaction, infusion must be stopped immediately.
Risk of Air Embolism
• Do not use plastic containers in series connections. Such use could result in air embolism due to residual air being drawn from the primary container before the administration of the fluid from the secondary container is completed.
• Pressurizing intravenous solutions contained in flexible plastic containers to increase flow rates can result in air embolism if the residual air in the container is not fully evacuated prior to administration.
• Use of a vented intravenous administration set with the vent in the open position could result in air embolism. Vented intravenous administration sets with the vent in the open position should not be used with flexible plastic containers.
Both the glycaemic effects of Glucose 5% and its effects on water and electrolyte balance should be taken into account when using Glucose 5% in patients treated with other substances that affect glycaemic control, or fluid and/or electrolyte balance.
Concomitant administration of catecholamines and steroids decreases the glucose up-take.
Drugs leading to an increased vasopressin effect
The below listed drugs increase the vasopressin effect, leading to reduced renal electrolyte free water excretion and increase the risk of hospital acquired hyponatraemia following inappropriately balanced treatment with i.v. fluids (see sections 4.2, 4.4 and 4.8).
• Drugs stimulating vasopressin release, e.g.: Chlorpropamide, clofibrate, carbamazepine, vincristine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, 3.4-methylenedioxy-N- methamphetamine, ifosfamide, antipsychotics, narcotics
• Drugs potentiating vasopressin action, e.g.: Chlorpropamide, NSAIDs, cyclophosphamide
• Vasopressin analogues, e.g.: Desmopressin, oxytocin, terlipressin
Other medicinal products increasing the risk of hyponatraemia also include diuretics in general and antiepileptics such as oxcarbazepine.
No interaction studies have been performed.
When a medicinal product is added, the nature of the drug and its use during pregnancy and lactation have to be considered separately.
Intrapartum maternal intravenous glucose infusion may result in foetal insulin production, with an associated risk of foetal hyperglycaemia and metabolic acidosis as well as rebound hypoglycaemia in the neonate.
Pregnancy
Glucose solution can be used during pregnancy. However, caution should be exercised when glucose solution is used intrapartum.
Glucose 5% should be administrated with special caution for pregnant women during labour particularly if administered in combination with oxytocin due to the risk of hyponatraemia (see section 4.4, 4.5 and 4.8).
Fertility
There are no adequate data of the effect of Glucose 5% on fertility. However, no effect on fertility is expected.
Lactation
There are no adequate data of using Glucose solution during lactation. However, no effect on lactation is expected. Glucose 5% can be used during lactation.
None known.
Undesirable effects which occurred in patients treated with Glucose 5% from the post-marketing experience are tabulated below.
The adverse drug reactions listed in this section are given following the recommended frequency convention: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000); and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
System Organ Class
Adverse reaction (MedDRA term)
Frequency
Immune system disorders
Anaphylactic reaction*
Hypersensitivity*
Not known
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Electrolyte imbalance
Hypokalaemia
Hypomagnesaemia
Hypophosphatemia
Hyperglycaemia
Dehydration
Hypervolaemia
Hospital acquired hyponatraemia**
Not known
Nervous system disorders
Hyponatraemic encephalopathy**
Not known
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash
Not known
Vascular disorders
Venous thrombosis
Phlebitis
Not known
Renal and urinary disorders
Polyuria
Not known
General disorders and administration site conditions
Chills*
Pyrexia*
Infusion site infection
Infusion site irritation for example erythema
Extravasation
Local reaction
Pain localised
Not known
*Potential manifestation in patients with allergy to corn, see section 4.4.
** Hospital acquired hyponatraemia may cause irreversible brain injury and death due to development of acute hyponatraemic encephalopathy (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
Prolonged administration or rapid infusion of large volumes of Glucose 5% may cause hyperosmolarity and hyponatraemia, dehydration, hyperglycaemia, hyperglycosuria, osmotic diuresis (due to the hyperglycaemia) and water intoxication and oedema. Severe hyperglycaemia and hyponatraemia may be fatal (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
In case of suspected overdose, treatment with Glucose 5% must be stopped immediately. Management of overdose is symptomatic and supportive, with appropriate monitoring.
Ask anything about Glucose 5% Intravenous Infusion BP. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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