Glucose Content in D5W
One liter of D5W (5% Dextrose in Water) contains 50 grams of glucose.
Calculation and Composition
- D5W is a 5% dextrose solution, meaning it contains 5 grams of dextrose per 100 mL 1
- Therefore, 1 liter (1000 mL) contains: 5 g/100 mL × 1000 mL = 50 grams of glucose 2
Clinical Delivery Rates
When D5W is infused at standard maintenance rates, the glucose delivery can be calculated as follows:
- At 100 mL/hour: Delivers approximately 5 grams of glucose per hour 2, 3
- At 200 mL/hour: Delivers approximately 10 grams of glucose per hour 3
Practical Clinical Context
For hypoglycemia treatment, understanding this concentration is critical:
- A 50 mL bolus of D5W delivers only 2.5 grams of glucose, which is insufficient for acute hypoglycemia correction 4, 5
- This is why concentrated dextrose solutions (D50W containing 25 grams per 50 mL, or D10W) are used for acute hypoglycemia rather than D5W 4, 5
For maintenance infusions, the glucose load from D5W can cause hyperglycemia:
- Even 500 mL of D5W (containing 25 grams glucose) causes significant transient hyperglycemia in non-diabetic surgical patients, with 72% exceeding 10 mmol/L glucose 6
- Standard infusion at 100 mL/hour raises serum glucose by approximately 9 mg/dL above fasting levels 3
Important Clinical Caveat
D5W should be avoided in acute ischemic stroke patients because glucose can have detrimental effects in acute brain injury of all types 1.