Alcohol in Dextrose

Dosage form: injection, USP
Drug class:Miscellaneous uncategorized agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 21, 2022.

Rx only

Alcohol in Dextrose Description

5% Alcohol in 5% Dextrose Injection, USP is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, hypertonic solution of ethyl alcohol and dextrose in water for injection, intended for intravenous administration.

Each 100 mL contains dehydrated alcohol 5 mL and dextrose, hydrous 5 g in water for injection; osmolar concentration 1104 mOsmol/liter (calc.); pH 4.5 (3.5 to 6.5). The solution provides a total of 450 calories/liter (alcohol 280; dextrose 170).*

The solution contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent or added buffer and is intended only for use as a single-dose injection. When smaller doses are required the unused portion should be discarded.

5% Alcohol in 5% Dextrose is a parenteral fluid and nutrient replenisher.

Dehydrated Alcohol, USP is chemically designated as ethanol or ethyl alcohol (CH3CH2OH), a clear, colorless, mobile, volatile liquid miscible with water.

Dextrose, USP is chemically designated D-glucose monohydrate (C6H12O6• H2O), a hexose sugar freely soluble in water. It has the following structural formula:

Water for Injection, USP is chemically designated H2O.

Alcohol in Dextrose - Clinical Pharmacology

Intravenously administered 5% Alcohol in 5% Dextrose Injection, USP provides a source of water and carbohydrate calories. In the average adult, pure ethyl alcohol is metabolized at a rate of approximately 10 to 20 mL per hour, depending on body weight and tolerance of the individual. (This is equivalent to an intravenous rate of infusion of 200 to 400 mL per hour of a 5% alcohol solution). Sedative effects of alcohol occur if the rate of infusion exceeds the rate of metabolism. Dextrose can be infused at a maximum rate of 0.5 g/kg of body weight/hr without producing glycosuria (equivalent to 700 mL of a 5% dextrose solution for a 70 kg adult). Thus, the maximum rate that alcohol can be infused without producing sedative effects is well below the maximum rate of utilization of dextrose.

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