Pharmacology. Glucose is an essential carbohydrate that is used as a substrate for energy production within the body. Although many organs use fatty acids as an alternative energy source, the brain is totally dependent on glucose as its major energy source; thus, hypoglycemia may cause serious brain injury rapidly. Dextrose administered with insulin shifts potassium intracellularly and maintains euglycemia for treatment of calcium antagonist and beta-adrenergic blocker poisoning (hyperinsulinemia-euglycemia [HIE] therapy).

Indications

1. 
   

   Hypoglycemia.

   
   
2. 
   

   Empiric therapy for patients with stupor, coma, or seizures who may have unsuspected hypoglycemia.

   
   
3. 
   

   Use with an insulin infusion for severe calcium antagonist poisoning (See Calcium Channel Antagonists), beta blocker poisoning (See Beta-Adrenergic Blockers), and hyperkalemia (See Diagnosis of Poisoning).

Contraindications.

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