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Dextrose

Dextrose is a sugar (glucose) given intravenously to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and to supply carbohydrate calories when patients cannot eat or absorb nutrition normally.

Brand names GlutoseEnfamil GlucoseDex4GlucoburstInsta-Glucose +1 more
Rx Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 45 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

Dextrose at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Dextrose is plain glucose given into a vein, a hospital standby since about 1946 and available generically, used to raise low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) fast or to supply calories when someone cannot eat, in strengths matched to newborns, adults or IV feeding. Most people notice little beyond soreness or redness at the IV site, more likely with the stronger solutions. The real risks are blood sugar overshooting too high and low sodium (hyponatremia), signaled by headache, nausea, vomiting or seizures, with children, older adults and premenopausal women most vulnerable. With longer use, frequent blood tests and IV site checks help catch line infection and fluid overload early.

Clinical pearls

  • Mention any water pill, SSRI or SNRI antidepressant, or seizure medicine, because each adds to dextrose’s low-sodium risk.
  • Dextrose never shares an IV line with a blood transfusion, since it can make red blood cells clump or burst.
  • Too much IV dextrose during labor can cause low blood sugar in the newborn after delivery.
  • On long-term IV feeding, report yellowing of the skin or eyes, which can signal liver problems from the nutrition.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asInjection
Earliest FDA record1946
Companies listing it with the FDA13
FDA label last updatedNov 2, 2025
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Dextrose, written from its FDA label.

What Dextrose is used for

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Dextrose injection is used across several products and concentrations for treating low blood sugar and providing intravenous nutrition. Uses vary by specific product:

  • Dextrose Monohydrate (50%) and Parenteral (50%): Treat insulin-induced low blood sugar (hypoglycemia/insulin shock) in adults; also used after dilution as a source of carbohydrate calories when oral intake is restricted
  • Infant Dextrose (25%): Treats acute symptomatic low blood sugar in pediatric patients from birth up to 2 years of age
  • Dextrose (25%) injection: Treats acute symptomatic low blood sugar in newborns and older infants; also provides a minimal source of carbohydrate calories
  • Dextrose (70%) injection: Used as a caloric component in parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding) when the digestive tract cannot be used, when protein absorption is impaired, or when nutritional needs are substantially increased (such as in severe burns)
  • Dextrose (10%) concentrated solution: Mixed with amino acids or diluted with compatible IV fluids to provide parenteral nutrition
  • Dextrose injection (general): Serves as a source of water and calories and may be used as a diluent for reconstituting powdered or liquid drug products

How Dextrose works

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Dextrose is glucose — the body's primary fuel. When injected directly into the bloodstream, it is immediately available to cells throughout the body. It is broken down (oxidized) into carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy in the process. This directly raises blood glucose levels in hypoglycemia and provides usable calories when a patient cannot get nutrition through food or their digestive tract.

Dextrose dosage

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Dextrose is given intravenously by healthcare professionals only — it is not taken by mouth in these formulations. The concentration, infusion rate, and vein used (central or peripheral) all depend on the specific product, the patient's age and weight, and their medical condition. Higher concentrations must be given through a central vein (a large vein near the heart) to avoid damage to smaller peripheral veins.

  • Lower concentrations (5% or less) may be given into a peripheral (regular arm) vein
  • Higher concentrations or solutions with high osmolarity require a central vein
  • Concentrated solutions should be tapered off slowly — do not stop abruptly
  • Your care team will determine timing and rate; never adjust an IV infusion on your own

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Dextrose prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • General (Dextrose Monohydrate injection)
    • The dose is dependent upon the age, weight and clinical condition of the patient
    • Dosage and constant infusion rate must be selected with caution in pediatric patients, particularly neonates and low birth weight infants, because of increased risk of hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia
  • Infant Dextrose Injection (25%)
    • Recommended initial dose is 250 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg (1 mL/kg to 2 mL/kg)
    • If clinically indicated, additional single doses of 250 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg (1 mL/kg to 2 mL/kg) may be administered
    • Infusion rate depends on age, weight, clinical and metabolic conditions and concomitant therapy; give by slow intravenous injection into a central vein
  • Dextrose Injection pharmacy bulk package (admixture in parenteral nutrition)
    • Individualize dosage based on the patient's clinical condition, body weight, nutritional/fluid requirements, as well as additional energy given orally/enterally
    • For slow intravenous infusion only, after dilution as an admixture
    • Central vein if final dextrose concentration is greater than 5% or osmolality greater than 900 mOsm/L approximately; peripheral vein if 5% or less and osmolality less than 900 mOsm/L approximately
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Pharmacy Bulk Package. Not for direct intravenous infusion. ( 2.1 ) • For slow intravenous infusion only into a: ( 2.2 ) o Central vein, if final dextrose concentration is greater than 5% or osmolality is greater than 900 mOsm/L approximately. o Peripheral vein, if final dextrose concentration 5% or less and osmolality is less than 900 mOsm/L approximately. • Individualize dosage based on the patient’s clinical condition, body weight, nutritional/fluid requirements, as well as additional energy given orally/enterally. ( 2.3 ) • Discontinue infusion of concentrated dextrose solutions slowly. ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Preparation Instructions Prior to Administration Dextrose Injection is supplied as a pharmacy bulk package for admixing only and is not for direct intravenous infusion. Dextrose Injection is intended for use in the preparation of sterile, intravenous admixtures. Prior to administration, Dextrose Injection must be transferred to a separate PN container , diluted with other compatible intravenous fluids and used as an admixture in PN solutions. • Do not remove from overpouch until ready to use. • Tear protective overwrap at slit and remove solution container. Small amounts of moisture may be found on the solution container from water permeating from inside the container. The amount of permeated water is insufficient to affect the solution significantly. If larger amounts of water are found, the container should be checked for tears or leaks. • Inspect Dextrose Injection prior to use. Opacity of the container may be observed due to moisture absorption during the sterilization process. This is normal and does not affect the solution quality or safety. The opacity will diminish gradually. Evaluate the following: o If the outlet port protector is damaged, detached, or not present, discard container as solution path sterility may be impaired. o Check for minute leaks by squeezing the inner container firmly. If leaks are found, discard solution as sterility may be impaired. o Do not use unless solution is clear and container is intact. • Because additives may be incompatible, evaluate all additions for compatibility and stability of the resulting preparation. Consult with a pharmacist, if available. If it is deemed advisable to introduce additives, use aseptic technique and mix thoroughly.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Dextrose side effects

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The most common side effects reported with dextrose injection include:

Common side effects

  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
  • Vein irritation, pain, or redness at the infusion site
  • Vein clotting or thrombophlebitis (inflamed, clotted vein)
  • Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions
  • Infection at the injection site or in the bloodstream
  • Electrolyte imbalances (such as low sodium or low potassium)
  • Fluid overload (too much fluid in the body)
  • Vein clotting or phlebitis (inflamed vein) at the infusion site

When to get medical help

  • Call your doctor or seek emergency care if you develop difficulty breathing, chest pain, or signs of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
  • Seek help if you notice signs of a severe allergic reaction: itching, swelling, hives, wheezing, low blood pressure, or blue-tinged skin
  • Get medical attention for signs of very high blood sugar: extreme thirst, confusion, frequent urination, or loss of consciousness
  • Report signs of low sodium (hyponatremia) immediately: headache, nausea, seizures, extreme tiredness, or vomiting
  • Tell your care team right away if you notice swelling, redness, or discharge around your IV site — this could signal infection
  • Seek help for signs of liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual fatigue, or abdominal pain during long-term use

Serious reactions — including pulmonary embolism (lung clots), severe brain swelling from low sodium, liver disease with prolonged use, and aluminum toxicity in premature infants or those with kidney disease — require immediate medical attention if they develop.

Dextrose warnings and precautions

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  • Hyperglycemia and hyperosmolar state: Too much dextrose or too fast an infusion can cause dangerously high blood sugar, which can lead to coma or death. Blood glucose must be monitored and insulin may be needed.
  • Low sodium (hyponatremia): Dextrose can cause sodium levels to drop, leading to brain swelling (encephalopathy), seizures, and life-threatening complications. Children, elderly patients, and premenopausal women are most at risk.
  • Vein damage and thrombosis: High-concentration solutions given into a small peripheral vein can cause irritation, clotting, and vein damage. Higher concentrations must go through a central vein.
  • Infection and sepsis: IV catheters and nutritional solutions can support bacterial growth; strict sterile technique is essential, and signs of infection must be acted on quickly.
  • Pulmonary embolism: Precipitates (particles) can form in IV lines and travel to the lungs, causing a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism. Stop the infusion and seek medical care if breathing problems develop.
  • Aluminum toxicity: Premature infants and patients with kidney disease who receive prolonged dextrose infusions are at risk of aluminum accumulation, which can harm the nervous system and bones.
  • Liver disease (PNALD): Long-term parenteral nutrition, especially in premature infants, can cause liver damage. Liver function should be monitored regularly.
  • Refeeding syndrome: In severely malnourished patients, reintroducing nutrition too quickly can cause dangerous shifts in potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Nutrition is reintroduced slowly with close monitoring.

Dextrose interactions

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Dextrose injection can interact with several medications, mainly by affecting blood sugar, sodium levels, or fluid balance:

  • Diuretics (water pills): Increase risk of low sodium when used alongside dextrose
  • SSRIs and SNRIs (antidepressants like sertraline or venlafaxine): Can lower sodium levels; risk is compounded with dextrose
  • Antiepileptic drugs (anti-seizure medications): Some increase the risk of hyponatremia (low sodium)
  • Psychotropic medications (certain psychiatric drugs): May also raise the risk of low sodium with concurrent dextrose use
  • Arginine vasopressin analogs (drugs that affect fluid/water balance): Combined use can worsen sodium imbalance
  • Cytotoxic (chemotherapy) drugs: Some increase hyponatremia risk when used with dextrose
  • Blood products: Do not administer dextrose through the same IV line as blood — it can cause red blood cells to clump or break down

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Dextrose prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Drugs associated with hyponatremia (diuretics and drugs that cause SIADH, e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, arginine vasopressin analogs, certain antiepileptic, psychotropic, and cytotoxic drugs): Concomitant administration with Dextrose Injection (5% and 10%) may increase the risk of developing hyponatremia. Avoid use in patients receiving these drugs; if use cannot be avoided, closely monitor serum sodium concentrations during concomitant use.
  • Glycemic control, vasopressin, and fluid/electrolyte balance: Dextrose Injection (5% and 10%) can affect glycemic control, vasopressin, and fluid and/or electrolyte balance. Monitor blood glucose concentrations, fluid balance, serum electrolyte concentrations and acid-base balance.
  • Additives: Additives may be incompatible. Consult with pharmacist if available; use aseptic technique, mix thoroughly and do not store.
  • Blood (same infusion set): Pseudoagglutination of red blood cells may occur if Dextrose Injection (25%) is given simultaneously with blood through the same infusion set. Do not administer simultaneously with blood through the same infusion set.
  • Calcium and phosphate: Excess addition of calcium and phosphate, especially as mineral salts, may result in formation of calcium phosphate precipitates. Calcium and phosphate ratios must be considered.
  • Lipid emulsion (with DEHP-containing administration sets): Administration sets containing PVC components have DEHP as a plasticizer. If admixed or infused with lipid emulsion, do not use administration sets and lines that contain DEHP.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Effects on Glycemic Control and Electrolyte Balance : Monitor blood glucose concentrations, fluid balance, serum electrolyte concentrations and acid-base balance. Avoid use of Dextrose Injection in patients receiving drugs associated with hyponatremia. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effects on Glycemic Control and Electrolyte Balance Dextrose Injection (5% and 10%) can affect glycemic control, vasopressin, and fluid and/or electrolyte balance [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1, 5.2 , 5.4 , 5.5 ) ]. Monitor patient’s blood glucose concentrations, fluid balance, serum electrolyte concentrations and acid-base balance. Concomitant administration of Dextrose Injection (5% and 10%) with drugs associated with hyponatremia may increase the risk of developing hyponatremia. Drugs associated with hyponatremia include diuretics and those that cause SIADH (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), arginine vasopressin analogs, certain antiepileptic, psychotropic, and cytotoxic drugs). Avoid use of Dextrose Injection (5% and 10%) in patients receiving drugs associated with hyponatremia. If use cannot be avoided, closely monitor serum sodium concentrations during concomitant use [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5 )].

Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

Check Dextrose against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Dextrose

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  • Do not use dextrose if you have severe dehydration — it can worsen a dangerous hyperosmolar (high-concentration blood) state
  • Do not use if you have a known allergy to dextrose
  • Tell your care team if you have diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance — dextrose can worsen high blood sugar
  • Patients with kidney disease are at higher risk of aluminum toxicity and toxic drug reactions with prolonged use
  • Premature infants and low-birth-weight newborns need very close monitoring for blood sugar swings, electrolyte imbalances, and aluminum exposure
  • Older adults are more likely to develop low sodium and related brain complications, and may have reduced kidney function requiring extra caution
  • Pregnant women: Excess glucose near the time of delivery can cause low blood sugar in the newborn; however, parenteral nutrition may be necessary if oral intake is inadequate
  • Tell your care team about all medications you take, especially diuretics, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, or psychiatric medications that can lower sodium

Dextrose overdose

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Receiving too much dextrose — or receiving it too fast — can cause dangerously high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), increased blood concentration (hyperosmolality), and serious imbalances in fluids and electrolytes, including severe low sodium. These complications can be fatal. If this happens, the infusion is stopped and corrective treatment (which may include insulin) is started right away. If you suspect overexposure, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

What Dextrose does in the body

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Dextrose raises blood glucose levels when given intravenously, which is its primary measurable effect in treating hypoglycemia. The precise relationship between the amount given and the size of the blood sugar response has not been fully characterized. Because glucose is metabolized quickly, the effects on blood sugar and fluid balance can change rapidly depending on infusion rate, patient condition, and other medications.

How your body processes Dextrose

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Once in the bloodstream, dextrose is metabolized (broken down) by the body's cells — oxidized into carbon dioxide and water, with energy released in the process. This is the same pathway used for glucose obtained from food. Because it enters circulation directly through IV infusion, there is no absorption step; it is immediately available for cellular use.

How to store Dextrose

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STORE AT: 20° to 25 °C ( 68° to 77° F) ; brief exposure up to 40°C/104°F does not adversely affect the product.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

Dextrose: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Dextrose — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

Why is my loved one being given dextrose through an IV — isn't sugar just food?

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Dextrose is essentially the same glucose your body gets from food, but in this case it's going directly into the bloodstream. That's important in two main situations: when blood sugar drops dangerously low (hypoglycemia) and needs to be corrected fast, or when a patient can't eat or absorb nutrition normally and needs calories delivered another way. It's a medical treatment, not the same as eating sugar.

Can dextrose actually cause high blood sugar? I thought it was for low blood sugar.

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Yes, that's a real concern. Dextrose raises blood glucose, which is exactly what you need when blood sugar is too low. But if it's given too fast or in too high a concentration, it can push blood sugar too high — a condition called hyperglycemia — which can be dangerous. That's why your care team monitors blood glucose closely throughout treatment and may use insulin to keep levels in a safe range.

My baby is in the NICU and they're giving them dextrose — is that safe?

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Dextrose is used specifically to treat low blood sugar in newborns and infants, including a 25% formulation approved for that age group. That said, premature and low-birth-weight babies need especially careful monitoring because they're more sensitive to swings in blood sugar, sodium levels, and other electrolytes. The care team will be watching those numbers closely throughout. There's also a small concern about aluminum with prolonged use in babies with immature kidneys, which the team monitors for.

What signs should I watch for that mean something is going wrong with the IV dextrose?

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Let the medical team know right away if you notice breathing trouble, chest pain, confusion, a severe headache, swelling, hives, a racing heart, or anything that feels suddenly wrong. These could be signs of serious reactions like a blood clot in the lungs, an allergic reaction, or a dangerous sodium imbalance. Also flag any redness, swelling, or discharge around the IV site — that could signal an infection.

I take an antidepressant. Does that matter when I'm getting dextrose?

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It can, yes. Certain antidepressants — especially SSRIs (like sertraline or fluoxetine) and SNRIs (like venlafaxine) — can lower sodium levels on their own. Dextrose can also affect sodium balance, so using them together raises the risk of your sodium dropping too low. Your care team should know about all your medications so they can monitor your sodium and adjust treatment if needed.

Is dextrose the same thing as an IV 'sugar drip' — and does it interact with insulin?

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Essentially, yes — an IV dextrose infusion is often what people call a sugar drip. It provides glucose directly into your bloodstream. Insulin and dextrose are actually used together in some situations: when blood sugar gets too high during a dextrose infusion, insulin can be given to bring it back into range. Your care team balances the two to keep blood sugar at a safe level throughout your treatment.

Is Dextrose available over the counter?

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No. Dextrose is a prescription medicine: every Dextrose product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Dextrose first available?

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The earliest FDA record we hold for Dextrose is from 1946: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Dextrose was first used.

Who makes Dextrose?

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13 companies currently list Dextrose products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC, ICU Medical Inc.. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Dextrose on HelloPharmacist

🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerDextrose vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Dextrose NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Dextrose Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Dextrose forms and strengths (how it comes)

Dextrose is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Dextrose inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Injection

Into a vein
Brands Infant Dextrose
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Dextrose Monohydrate (50%) and Parenteral (50%) are used to treat insulin-induced low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in adults
  • Infant Dextrose (25%) is indicated for acute low blood sugar episodes in pediatric patients from birth up to 2 years of age
  • Dextrose (25%) injection treats acute symptomatic low blood sugar in newborns and older infants
  • Dextrose injection is indicated as a source of water and calories and may be used as a diluent for reconstituting certain drug products
Important instructions
  • Infant Dextrose (25%) must be given by slow intravenous injection into a central vein to reduce the risk of high blood sugar and vein irritation
  • Infant Dextrose (25%) must not be given at the same time as blood through the same IV line, and must not be given subcutaneously or intramuscularly
  • Dextrose Monohydrate and Parenteral 50% solutions should be infused slowly; inspect the solution for particles or discoloration before use
  • Dextrose injection for peripheral vein use is generally acceptable at 5% concentration; higher concentrations or high osmolarity solutions require a central vein
Available strengths 18 strengths
50 mg/mL 100 mg/mL 250 mg/mL 2.5 g/50 mL 2500 mg/50 mL 5 g/100 mL
Show 12 more strengths Show fewer strengths
5000 mg/100 mL 10 g/100 mL 12500 mg/250 mL 20 g/100 mL 25 g/50 mL 25000 mg/500 mL 30 g/100 mL 40 g/100 mL 50 g/100 mL 50 g/1000 mL 70 g/100 mL 100 g/1000 mL
194 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Dextrose on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Dextrose appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

13 companies list 74 Dextrose product records with the FDA, mostly as injection; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1946. Brand names on the directory include Glutose, Enfamil Glucose, Dex4 and 3 more; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
13
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
3
Brand names
74
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1946
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (4) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation23%
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC15%
ICU Medical Inc.14%
Baxter Healthcare Company12%
Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC7%
B. Braun Medical Inc.5%
Other makers24%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Dextrose is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Dextrose is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Dextrose is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

153,560
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$29.9M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Dextrose prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Dextrose ranks #430 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 73% of them.

Where Dextrose ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #430 of 1,601
#425 Ritonavir 162,610 Rx #426 Ursodiol 159,875 Rx #427 Tobramycin Ophthalmic 159,866 Rx #428 Nitrofurantoin 157,792 Rx #429 Glucagon Nasal Powder 154,534 Rx #430 Dextrose 153,560 Rx #431 Omalizumab Injection 153,398 Rx #432 Hyoscyamine 152,143 Rx #433 Nirmatrelvir and Riton... 151,858 Rx #434 Verapamil 151,669 Rx #435 Secukinumab Injection 149,840 Rx

Utilization by Dextrose product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 700 mg/mL injectable solution is the most-dispensed Dextrose product — about 36% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

glucose 700 MG/ML Injectable Solution Most dispensed

54,609 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 36% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $17.4M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $319 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 8 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 237656

250 ML glucose 50 MG/ML Injection

31,729 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 21% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $4.3M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $135 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 8 of 23 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795610

50 ML glucose 50 MG/ML Injection

21,520 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 14% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $1.3M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $60 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 10 of 28 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795616

500 ML glucose 50 MG/ML Injection

14,801 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 10% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $1.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $115 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 7 of 20 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795607

100 ML glucose 50 MG/ML Injection

13,802 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 9% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $3.6M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $264 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 10 of 32 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795609

1000 ML glucose 50 MG/ML Injection

7,992 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 5% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $125 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 19 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795612

25 ML glucose 50 MG/ML Injection

3,470 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $173,107 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $50 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795618

50 ML glucose 500 MG/ML Prefilled Syringe

3,352 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $257,640 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $77 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 19 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 727517

1000 ML glucose 100 MG/ML Injection

756 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $17,136 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $23 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 7 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795481

250 ML glucose 100 MG/ML Injection

439 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $6,147 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $14 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 8 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795480

500 ML glucose 100 MG/ML Injection

308 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $308 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $1.00 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 9 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795477

50 ML glucose 500 MG/ML Injection

298 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $28,663 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $96 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 5 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795514

150 ML glucose 50 MG/ML Injection

195 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $1,192 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $6.11 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 4 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795621

500 ML glucose 500 MG/ML Injection

148 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q3 2025) <1% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $64,613 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $437 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 2 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1795518

500 ML glucose 200 MG/ML Injection

141 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Dextrose prescriptions shown $31,633 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $224 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 237649

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Dextrose, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 59 of 188 listed Dextrose NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Dextrose products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Dextrose — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 74 of 74 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 74 Dextrose NDCs →

Dextrose recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 3 Dextrose recalls since July 2021, covering 5 product listings. Two of them are still ongoing or began in the last six months and are listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class II Apr 2, 2026 · B BRAUN MEDICAL INC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility; potential for leakage from the diaphragm port once the foil is removed.
  • DEXTROSE INJECTION USP, 70%, 2000 mL bags, Rx only, Sterile, B. Braun Medical Inc., Bethlehem, PA 18018-3524, USA, NDC: 0264-7387-50. Lots: Lot # J5H166, J5H167, Exp Date: 30NOV2026. FDA record D-0496-2026 →
Ongoing Class II Mar 11, 2026 · Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
  • 5% Dextrose Injection, USP 12.5 g per 250 mL (50 mg per mL) 250 mL in a 250 mL freeflex bag, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC ("Fresenius Kabi"), Unit of Use NDC: 65219-458-05, Unit of Sale NDC Number: 65219-… Lots: Batch# 6402165, Exp Date: 05/30/2028. FDA record D-0437-2026 →
  • 5% Dextrose Injection, USP 5 g per 100 mL (50 mg per mL) 100 mL in a 100 mL freeflex bag, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC ("Fresenius Kabi"), Unit of Use NDC: 65219-464-05, Unit of Sale NDC Number: 65219-464… Lots: Batch# 6402399, 6402400, 6402401, Exp Date: 02/28/2027. FDA record D-0436-2026 →
  • 5% Dextrose Injection, USP 2.5 g per 50 mL (50 mg per mL) 50 mL in a 100 mL freeflex bag, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC ("Fresenius Kabi"), Unit of Use NDC: 65219-456-05, Unit of Sale NDC Number: 65219-456… Lots: Batch# 6402296, Exp Date: 07/31/2026. FDA record D-0435-2026 →
Class II Nov 30, 2021 · Terminated · Pfizer Inc.
Lack of sterility assurance: bag has the potential to leak.
  • 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, 50 mL ADD-Vantage Unit, Rx only, Distributed by Hospira, INC., Lake Forest, IL 60045 USA, NDC 0409-7100-68/0409-7100-66 Lots: Lot: 4923608 Exp. 1MAY2022 FDA record D-0265-2022 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Dextrose RxCUI 4850 7 dose forms · 43 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Chewable Tablet RxCUI 372326 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1000 MG RxCUI 891451 3750 MG RxCUI 2531368 4000 MG RxCUI 310519 5000 MG RxCUI 310520 15000 MG RxCUI 2473284
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 376937 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) Shortage Import Unapproved glucose 500 MG/ML RxCUI 2698763 Shortage Import Unapproved glucose 700 MG/ML RxCUI 2698764 50 MG/ML RxCUI 309778 150 MG/ML RxCUI 107097 250 MG/ML RxCUI 260258 500 MG/ML RxCUI 237653 600 MG/ML RxCUI 237654 700 MG/ML RxCUI 237656
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Injection RxCUI 1794567 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 25 ML glucose 50 MG/ML RxCUI 1795618 50 ML glucose 50 MG/ML RxCUI 1795616 50 ML glucose 500 MG/ML RxCUI 1795514 100 ML glucose 100 MG/ML RxCUI 2262603 100 ML glucose 50 MG/ML RxCUI 1795609 100 ML glucose 500 MG/ML RxCUI 1996082 150 ML glucose 50 MG/ML RxCUI 1795621 250 ML glucose 100 MG/ML RxCUI 1795480 250 ML glucose 50 MG/ML RxCUI 1795610 500 ML glucose 100 MG/ML RxCUI 1795477 500 ML glucose 200 MG/ML RxCUI 237649 500 ML glucose 300 MG/ML RxCUI 242694 500 ML glucose 400 MG/ML RxCUI 237650 500 ML glucose 50 MG/ML RxCUI 1795607 500 ML glucose 500 MG/ML RxCUI 1795518 1000 ML glucose 100 MG/ML RxCUI 1795481 1000 ML glucose 50 MG/ML RxCUI 1795612 1000 ML glucose 500 MG/ML RxCUI 1795519
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Gel RxCUI 377980 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.4 MG/MG RxCUI 198683 0.417 MG/MG RxCUI 309774 0.45 MG/MG RxCUI 1608477 0.774 MG/MG RxCUI 1598320
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Solution RxCUI 239166 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 50 MG/ML RxCUI 200141 100 MG/ML RxCUI 200140 166.7 MG/ML RxCUI 1052683 254 MG/ML RxCUI 849418 500 MG/ML RxCUI 95267
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Powder for Oral Solution RxCUI 2474503 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 15000 MG RxCUI 2474504

Look up RxCUI 4850 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

Dextrose brand names

Dextrose is sold under 6 brand names in the FDA directory — Glutose, Enfamil Glucose, Dex4, Glucoburst and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Glutose Enfamil Glucose Dex4 Glucoburst Insta-Glucose Infant Dextrose

Who makes Dextrose: manufacturers and labelers

13 companies list Dextrose products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC, ICU Medical Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Baxter Healthcare Corporation 17 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 11 ICU Medical Inc. 10 Baxter Healthcare Company 9 Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC 5 B. Braun Medical Inc. 4 Hospira, Inc. 4 Becton Dickinson and Company 3 HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst 3 Henry Schein, Inc. 3 ProPharma Distribution 2 Remedyrepack Inc. 2 International Medication Systems, Limited 1

Dextrose drug class (RxNorm)

Dextrose belongs to the Other irrigating solutions class.

Drug family (ATC) Other irrigating solutions, Tests for diabetes, Carbohydrates

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Dextrose page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Nov 2, 2025
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Dextrose.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Dextrose after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
45
Finished products in the current FDA directory
74
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
13
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
13
Linked representative label ⓘ
ICU Medical Inc.
Linked label effective
Nov 2, 2025
Composite sections available
21
Linked SPL Set ID
b5cb7a5a-bbe8-4217-a82e-da818f7771c9
Linked SPL Document ID
98e136db-75df-429c-8d33-03bfae8f511e
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. ICU Medical Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →