Dextrose (Corn Sugar/D-Glucose) IV Solutions Contraindicated for Administration to Corn-Allergic Patients

[Updated January 24, 2021]

Dextrose (D-glucose) is corn sugar “produced by the complete hydrolysis of corn starch [sic] with safe and suitable acids or enzymes, followed by refinement and crystallization from the resulting hydrolysate.” [1,2]  Therefore, IV solutions to which corn sugar (dextrose/D-glucose) has been added are clearly contraindicated for administration to corn-allergic patients in the package insert. [3-7]  Anaphylactic reactions to dextrose (corn sugar/D-glucose) IV fluids have been documented in published literature. [8,9]

Administering dextrose (corn sugar/D-glucose)-containing drug/biologic products to corn-allergic patients is a critical medical error equivalent to administering penicillin to patients with an allergy to penicillin.  Based upon the personal testimonies from the 16K+ members in our corn allergy support groups that many clinicians are also unaware of this critical contraindication warning, we have issued guidelines for reporting medical professionals who administer dextrose (D-glucose/corn sugar)-containing IV solutions to corn-allergic patients in direct violation of the contraindication warning in the package insert. [10]  

Diane H., Corn Allergy Advocate
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/
Email:  cornallergyinitiative@gmail.com
Twitter:  @CornAllergy911

References

[1] United States Food & Drug Administration. (2019, April 1). Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Volume 3, 21CFR184.1857, Section 184.1857 Corn Sugar, United States Department of Health & Human Services
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1857

[2]  "Corn must first be converted to corn sugar (dextrose, the common commercial name for D-glucose) . . ." [emphasis added]
https://polymerinnovationblog.com/from-corn-to-poly-lactic-acid-pla-fermentation-in-action/

[3] LACTATED RINGERS IN 5% DEXTROSE
Generic Name: lactated ringer's and 5% dextrose injection
Brand Name: Lactated Ringer's in 5% Dextrose

CONTRAINDICATIONS
“Solutions containing dextrose may be contraindicated in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products.” (emphasis added)
https://www.rxlist.com/lactated-ringers-in-5-dextrose-drug.htm

[4] Lactated Ringer’s and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP in VIAFLEX Plastic Container
“Dextrose is derived from corn.” (emphasis added)
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=6acc9f96-7088-45a7-b48f-1a861e3467ab&type=display

[5] LABEL: DEXTROSE IN LACTATED RINGERS- dextrose, sodium chloride, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride injection, solution 

CONTRAINDICATIONS
“Solutions containing dextrose may be contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to corn products.” (emphasis added)
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=190da07e-a616-46e6-b4e5-1c0ba39306e5

[6] DEXTROSE IN LACTATED RINGERS- dextrose, sodium chloride, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride injection, solution

B. Braun Medical Inc.

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5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringer's Injection
“Solutions containing dextrose may be contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to corn products.” (emphasis added)
https://rxdruglabels.com/lib/rx/rx-meds/dextrose-in-lactated-ringers-1/

[7] Baxter Lactated Ringer’s and 5% Dextrose Injection, USP

WARNINGS
“Solutions containing dextrose should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products.”(emphasis added)
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/016679s104,016682s105,016692s095,019367s026lbl.pdf

[8] Guharoy SR, Barajas M. Probable anaphylactic reaction to corn-derived dextrose solution. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1991;33(6):609-610.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1808842/

[9] College of Pharmacists of British Columbia, Warning: corn-related allergens,
Non-medicinal ingredients don’t appear on drug labels, ReadLinks, May/June 2007, Vol. 32, No. 3
http://library.bcpharmacists.org/6_Resources/6-7_ReadLinks/ReadLinks-MayJun2007.pdf

[10] Guidelines for reporting medical professionals who administer corn sugar (dextrose/D-glucose) IV fluids to corn-allergic patients in direct violation of the contraindication warning in the package insert.
LACTATED RINGER’S IN 5% DEXTROSE CONTRAINDICATED FOR CORN-ALLERGIC PATIENTS
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2019/12/lactated-ringers-in-5-dextrose.html

Additional Reference

Corn Allergy References, Surveys, Studies (“. . . Maize major allergen . . .”), Statistics, & Petitions
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/04/corn-allergy-reference-links.html


Blog Post Reference:

Dextrose (Corn Sugar/D-Glucose) IV Solutions Contraindicated for Administration to Corn-Allergic Patients
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/corn-sugar-dextrose-iv-fluids.html