What is Glucose 5% Used For? A Comprehensive Guide to D5W

December 29, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration, Dextrose 5% in Water (D5W), also known as Glucose 5%, is an intravenous solution used to replace lost fluids and provide minimal calories for patients. It is a sterile solution containing 5 grams of glucose per 100 milliliters, which is administered directly into the bloodstream.

Quick Summary

D5W is a sterile intravenous fluid that provides hydration, a source of carbohydrates for minimal energy, and is used as a vehicle for administering other medications. It is indicated for patients with fluid depletion, low blood sugar, or those unable to consume nutrients orally.

Key Points

Hydration and Energy: Glucose 5% is used to replenish fluid and provide a minimal source of carbohydrates for energy.
Treats Hypoglycemia: It can be used to treat low blood sugar or maintain stable glucose levels in at-risk patients.
Medication Diluent: The solution serves as a vehicle to dilute and deliver various compatible drugs via intravenous infusion.
Changes Tonicity in Body: As glucose is metabolized, the fluid transitions from isotonic to physiologically hypotonic, increasing intracellular water.
Not for Electrolyte Replacement: Unlike fluids like Normal Saline, D5W contains no electrolytes and is not used for electrolyte imbalance correction.
Potential for Hyperglycemia: Over-infusion or use in diabetic patients can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Risk of Hyponatremia: Rapid infusion can cause low sodium levels in the blood, potentially leading to brain swelling.

Understanding Intravenous Glucose Solutions

Glucose 5% (D5W) is an intravenous fluid containing 5 grams of glucose per 100 ml of sterile water. It is isotonic in the bag, similar in solute concentration to blood plasma. However, the body rapidly metabolizes the glucose, making the solution physiologically hypotonic, which promotes intracellular hydration. One liter of D5W provides around 170-200 kilocalories, offering a small amount of carbohydrate energy.

Primary Uses of Glucose 5%

Fluid and Carbohydrate Depletion

Glucose 5% is used to address fluid and carbohydrate deficits in patients unable to consume food or drink, such as those with severe vomiting or undergoing fasting. It provides hydration and energy to prevent protein breakdown.

Treating and Preventing Hypoglycemia

D5W is used to manage and prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). While higher concentrations are used for rapid treatment, D5W helps maintain stable blood glucose, especially in at-risk individuals like those with liver disease or malnutrition.

Vehicle and Diluent for Medications

Glucose 5% is often used to dilute concentrated injectable medications for safe intravenous administration. Its low glucose concentration typically doesn't interfere with most drug actions, making it a versatile diluent.

Comparison of D5W with Other IV Fluids

A comparison of D5W with other common intravenous fluids like 0.9% Sodium Chloride and Lactated Ringer's highlights their differing primary uses, contents, osmolarity, effects in the body, calorie content, and electrolytes. D5W provides hydration and minimal calories, while the others are typically used for volume resuscitation and contain electrolytes.

Risks and Contraindications

Glucose 5% carries risks including hyperglycemia and hyponatremia and is contraindicated in some conditions. Contraindications include severe dehydration, uncontrolled diabetes, recent ischemic stroke, head trauma, and corn allergies.

Conclusion

Glucose 5% (D5W) is an intravenous fluid primarily used for hydration, providing minimal carbohydrate energy, and as a diluent for medications. Its use requires careful monitoring to manage risks like hyperglycemia or electrolyte imbalances.

Key Takeaways

Glucose 5% (D5W) is primarily used for fluid and carbohydrate replacement, treating hypoglycemia, and as a diluent for IV medications. Though isotonic in the bag, it becomes physiologically hypotonic in the body, providing free water. D5W is not ideal for rapid volume expansion compared to fluids like normal saline due to becoming hypotonic. Side effects can include hyperglycemia and hyponatremia. Medical guidance is essential for its use due to potential risks and contraindications, including uncontrolled diabetes, recent head trauma, or corn allergies. D5W differs from electrolyte-containing fluids like Normal Saline and Lactated Ringer's.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose is to supply the body with both fluid and a minimal amount of carbohydrates for energy, particularly when a patient cannot take in nutrients orally.

Yes, but specifically for dehydration where water loss is the primary concern, as it does not contain electrolytes. For dehydration with significant electrolyte imbalance, other solutions like Normal Saline or Lactated Ringer's are preferred.

For immediate correction of severe hypoglycemia, higher concentrations like D50W are used. Glucose 5% is typically used for maintenance therapy after the blood sugar has been stabilized.

It is used to dilute other medications because it is a sterile, compatible solution that helps to deliver a concentrated drug slowly and safely into the patient's bloodstream.

The main risks include hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), especially in patients with impaired glucose tolerance, and hyponatremia (low blood sodium) from rapid, excessive infusion.

Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, recent head trauma, severe dehydration requiring electrolyte repletion, or a known corn allergy should not receive glucose 5%.

D5W is isotonic inside the IV bag but becomes physiologically hypotonic within the body. This is because the body's cells rapidly consume the glucose, leaving behind free water to hydrate cells.