Dextrose + Sodium Chloride

Dextrose + Sodium Chloride is a intravenous fluid with electrolyte and carbohydrate medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Replacement or maintenance of body fluids and electrolytes when oral intake is inadequate or not possible.
• Management of dehydration or sodium/chloride depletion where an IV fluid containing sodium chloride and dextrose is clinically appropriate.
• Provision of a carbohydrate calorie source as part of IV fluid therapy.
• Use as a vehicle or diluent for compatible intravenous medicines, when recommended by the prescriber and product instructions.

The dose, infusion rate and duration depend on the patient’s age, weight, clinical condition, fluid losses, blood glucose, serum electrolytes and kidney/heart function. It should be prescribed and administered by a healthcare professional with appropriate monitoring. Do not self-administer or change the infusion rate without the doctor’s instruction.

• Pain, redness, swelling or irritation at the infusion site.
• Fever, chills or infection related to IV administration.
• High blood glucose, especially in people with diabetes or stress illness.
• Electrolyte disturbances such as high sodium or high chloride, depending on the formulation and patient condition.
• Fluid overload, swelling, raised blood pressure, shortness of breath or pulmonary oedema, particularly in susceptible patients.
• Rarely, allergic-type reactions or severe vein inflammation may occur.

Use with caution in patients with heart failure, kidney impairment, liver disease with fluid retention, oedema, hypertension, diabetes, raised blood glucose, electrolyte imbalance, or in elderly, infants and critically ill patients. Monitor fluid balance, urine output, blood glucose and serum electrolytes as clinically needed. Use under a registered doctor's or pharmacist's guidance.

• Corticosteroids, corticotropin and other sodium-retaining medicines may increase the risk of fluid retention, oedema or high blood pressure.
• Medicines affecting blood glucose, including insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs, may need adjustment when dextrose-containing fluids are used.
• Lithium levels may be affected by changes in sodium and fluid balance; monitoring may be required.
• Concomitant medicines that affect electrolytes or kidney function may increase the risk of electrolyte or fluid imbalance.
• Do not mix with other IV medicines unless compatibility has been confirmed.

• Known hypersensitivity to any component of the infusion or container materials.
• Severe uncontrolled high blood glucose where dextrose administration is unsafe.
• Severe hypernatremia or hyperchloremia, unless specifically directed and monitored by a specialist.
• Fluid overload states such as severe pulmonary oedema or decompensated heart failure where additional IV fluid is harmful.
• Clinical situations where administration of sodium chloride or dextrose is judged inappropriate by the treating doctor.

Dextrose + Sodium Chloride may be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding when IV fluid therapy is clinically needed. The prescriber should consider the mother’s fluid status, electrolytes and blood glucose, and monitor as appropriate. It should be used only under medical supervision.

Store at room temperature as directed on the product label, protected from excessive heat and freezing. Do not use if the container is leaking, the solution is cloudy, discoloured or contains particles. Keep out of the reach of children and use only within the stated expiry date.