Dextrose

Oral
Hypoglycaemia
Adult: 10-20 g as single dose; may repeat in 10 min if needed. 
Child: >2 yr: 10-20 g as single dose; may repeat in 10 min if needed. 
Intravenous
Hypoglycaemia
Adult: 10-25 g (40-100 ml of 25% solution or 20-50 ml of 50% solution). Doses may be repeated in severe cases. 
Child: ≤6 mth: 0.25-0.5 g/kg/dose; >6 mth: 0.5-1 g/kg/dose. Doses may be repeated in severe cases. Max: 25 g/dose. 
Intravenous
Hyperkalaemia
Adult: 25-50 g combined with 10 units of regular insulin, administered over 30-60 minutes; may repeat if necessary. Alternatively, 25 g combined with 5-10 units of regular insulin infused over 5 minutes; may repeat if necessary. 
Child: and infants: 0.5-1 g/kg (using 25% or 50% solution) combined with regular insulin (1 unit for every 4-5 g dextrose given); infuse over 2 hr, may repeat if necessary.

Known allergy to corn or corn products. Diabetic coma with hyperglycaemia. Use of hypertonic solutions in patients with intracranial or intraspinal haemorrhage. Patients with delirium tremens and dehydration. Anuria, hepatic coma, or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome.

Overt or known subclinical DM. Patients with carbohydrate intolerance. IV admin of dextrose may result in hypokalaemia, hypophosphataemia and hypomagnesemia. Prolonged infusion of isotonic dextrose solutions may cause water intoxication. Production of insulin may be adversely affected by prolonged parenteral nutrition with dextrose solutions. Rapid admin of hypertonic dextrose solutions may result in hyperglycaemia and hyperosmolar syndrome. Monitor for signs of mental confusion or loss of consciousness. Monitor blood and urinary glucose regularly. Caution when used in very low birth weight infants. Abrupt withdrawal may lead to rebound hypoglycaemia. Risk of thrombosis when hypertonic (>10%) solutions are administered through peripheral veins. Caution when used parenterally in pregnant women.

Venous thrombosis, phlebitis, hypovolemia, hypervolemia, dehydration, oedema, fever, mental confusion, unconsciousness, hyperosmolar syndrome, hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia, acidosis, hypophosphataemia, hypomagnesemia, polyuria, glycosuria, ketonuria, nausea, diarrhoea, polydipsia, vein irritation, tissue necrosis, pulmonary oedema, tachypnoea

Dextrose is a monosaccharide that is used as a source of calories and water for hydration. It helps to reduce loss of body protein and nitrogen. It also promotes glycogen deposition in the liver. When used with insulin, it stimulates the uptake of potassium by cells, especially in muscle tissue, thus lowering serum potassium levels.
Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the small intestine when taken orally.
Metabolism: Metabolised to carbon dioxide and water.