What is the rate of D5W (5% Dextrose in Water) for the correction of hypernatremia in the setting of overcorrection of hyponatremia?

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Last updated: May 4, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

For the management of overcorrection of hyponatremia, the rate of D5W infusion is not explicitly stated in the provided evidence, but the goal is to prevent osmotic demyelination syndrome by not exceeding a correction rate of 8 mEq/L per 24-hour period 1. To manage overcorrection of hyponatremia, the following steps can be taken:

  • Infuse D5W to provide free water and dilute serum sodium concentration
  • Administer DDAVP (desmopressin) to prevent further water excretion
  • Monitor serum sodium levels frequently to adjust the treatment as needed The provided evidence recommends a goal rate of increase of serum sodium of 4-6 mEq/L per 24-hour period, not to exceed 8 mEq/L per 24-hour period to ameliorate the risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome in patients with cirrhosis 1. Key considerations in the management of overcorrection of hyponatremia include:
  • Frequent monitoring of serum sodium levels
  • Adjusting the treatment to prevent excessive correction
  • Using a combination of D5W infusion and DDAVP administration to safely lower serum sodium levels
  • Continuing treatment until the sodium correction rate is slowed to the safe range of 6-8 mEq/L per 24 hours.

From the Research

Rate of D5W for Overcorrection of Hyponatremia

  • The rate of D5W (5% dextrose in water solution) for overcorrection of hyponatremia is not explicitly stated in the provided studies as a standard rate applicable to all cases.
  • However, a study 2 presents a case series where a calculated amount of D5W prefilter was used to prevent overcorrection of hyponatremia in patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), with the rate of sodium correction not exceeding 8 mEq/day.
  • The study 2 also mentions a simplified equation to determine the D5W rate depending on the prescribed effluent volume, but the specifics of this equation are not provided in the text.
  • Other studies 3, 4, 5, 6 discuss the management and correction of hyponatremia, emphasizing the importance of avoiding overcorrection to prevent osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) and other neurological complications, but do not provide a specific rate for D5W administration in this context.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Hypertonic saline and desmopressin: a simple strategy for safe correction of severe hyponatremia.

American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation, 2013

Research

Diagnosis and management of hyponatremia in acute illness.

Current opinion in critical care, 2008

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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