My September 29, 2020, Email to Baxter Healthcare Ltd Re: Dextrose IV Fluid

Email to Baxter Healthcare Ltd: medinfo_ukl@baxter.com

Re:  Labeling of IV solution to which corn sugar (dextrose) has been added
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1825/smpc

In our corn allergy support groups of over 12K members, the primary complaint is the lack of knowledge by medical professionals about the critical difference between glucose (blood sugar present in all living organisms) and dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch).  One physician told a corn-allergic patient that "No one can be allergic to dextrose" and another physician told a corn-allergic patient that "No one can be allergic to dextrose, because dextrose is naturally present in our bodies."  Both of these physicians administered IV fluids to these patients to which corn sugar (dextrose) had been added, in direct violation of the contraindication warning in the package insert, resulting in anaphylactic reactions requiring emergency intervention.  

Glucose (blood sugar present in all living organisms) cannot provoke an allergic response; whereas, dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch) can prove fatal to anyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn. For this reason, IV solutions to which corn sugar (dextrose) has been added contain contraindication warnings for administration to corn-allergic patients.

August 6, 2020, Call to Baxter Healthcare Ltd.
A member of one of our corn allergy groups who resides in the U.K. just discovered that corn sugar (dextrose) IV fluid sold outside of the United States by Baxter Healthcare Ltd is labeled as “Glucose 5% Intravenous Infusion BP.”  It is clearly corn sugar (dextrose) IV fluid, since the product information sheet does include contraindication warnings for administration to corn-allergic patients.  Since glucose is blood sugar, physicians may not realize that this product is actually corn sugar (dextrose) IV fluid, thus potentially endangering the lives of corn-allergic patients.

I placed an emergency call to Baxter Quality Control Department, 1-800-437-5176; and they are taking this matter very seriously.  They are expediting our concerns about the labeling of this product.  I also forwarded corn allergy documentation to them, @baxter_intl, in addition to @Datapharm for their review and consideration.
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1825/smpc

We, the corn allergy population of the world, are appealing to Baxter Healthcare Ltd. to immediately correct the labeling of this product for our safety.  Glucose (blood sugar present in all living organisms) is NOT a drug product; therefore, it shouldn't be labeled as such.  

Thank you for your attention to this critical concern.

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

References

CORN SUGAR (DEXTROSE), CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION 21CFR184.1857
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1857

PHARMACISTS CONFIRM THE STUDY OF NMIs (NON-MEDICINAL INGREDIENTS) IN DRUGS IS NOT PART OF CURRICULUM

https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/06/pharmacists-confirm-study-of-nmis-non.html

"Probable anaphylactic reaction to corn-derived dextrose solution."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1808842

BCPharmacists, "Warning: corn-related allergens . . ."
http://library.bcpharmacists.org/6_Resources/6-7_ReadLinks/ReadLinks-MayJun2007.pdf

Baxter Labs specifically warns about administering dextrose IV fluids to corn-allergic patients.
 "Solutions containing dextrose should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products." - Page 3
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/016679s104,016682s105,016692s095,019367s026lbl.pdf

CORN SUGAR (DEXTROSE) IV FLUIDS CONTRAINDICATED FOR CORN-ALLERGIC PATIENTS
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/corn-sugar-dextrose-iv-fluids.html

 

Blog Post Link: 

My September 29, 2020, Email to Baxter Healthcare Ltd Re: Dextrose IV Fluid
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-september-29-2020-email-to-baxter.html

My September 18, 2020, Email to BBI Healthcare Re: Glucose (blood sugar) vs. Dextrose (corn sugar)

Email: info@bbihealthcare.com 

Re: Glucose (blood sugar) vs. Dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch)

The lives of corn-allergic consumers/patients are in constant danger due to erroneously equating blood sugar (glucose) w/corn sugar (dextrose).  This false narrative was initiated by the corn industry decades ago, and the NIH National Library of Medicine continues to propagate this false narrative.
https://www.liftglucose.com/what-is-the-difference-between-glucose-dextrose/

 

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

References:

CORN SUGAR (DEXTROSE), CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION 21CFR184.1857
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1857

Dextrose: Facts vs. Fiction
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/dextrose-facts-vs-fiction.html

My July 2, 2020, Appeal to the NIH National Library of Medicine Re: PubChem CID 79025, Glucose (Blood Sugar) vs. Dextrose (Corn Sugar Derived from Cornstarch)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/07/my-july-2-2020-appeal-to-nih-national.html

Glucose (blood sugar) must NEVER be equated with dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch).
[This petition does NOT solicit donations.]
PETITION: Defund the NIH National Library of Medicine for Willful Negligence
https://www.change.org/p/united-states-department-of-health-human-services-defund-the-nih-national-library-of-medicine-for-willful-negligence

Blog Post Link:

My September 18, 2020, Email to BBI Healthcare Re: Glucose (blood sugar) vs. Dextrose (corn sugar)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-september-18-2020-email-to-bbi.html

 

My September 23, 2020, Email to NOW® Foods Re: Dextrose

Email: productinfo@nowfoods.com

Re:  Glucose (blood sugar) vs. dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch)

Dextrose, NOW® Foods

You have not cited a reference for the following declaration on your website.
"Dextrose is another name for glucose, a simple sugar that plays an important role in cellular energy production. Dextrose is actually the primary source of energy for most living organisms. NOW Real Food® Dextrose is a natural sweetener with a fine texture and moderate sweetness."
https://www.nowfoods.com/natural-foods/dextrose

I have been a full-time corn-allergy advocate for nearly seven years, and my primary goal is to protect individuals with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn; e.g., it took me three years to forward critical corn allergy documentation to our nation's hospitals, colleges of medicine, and colleges of pharmacy after members of our corn allergy support groups (12K+) have testified that most medical professionals are oblivious to the critical difference between dextrose (corn sugar) and glucose (blood sugar).  

Dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch) is NOT glucose (blood sugar present in all living organisms); therefore, it is impossible for corn sugar (dextrose) to be naturally present in any food/drug/biologic product.  Dextrose is corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch that is ADDED TO food/drug/biologic products, which is the reason that IV fluids to which corn sugar (dextrose) has been added are contraindicated for administration to corn-allergic patients.

CORN SUGAR (DEXTROSE), CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION 21CFR184.1857
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1857

Instructions for reporting medical professionals who administer corn sugar (dextrose) 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

Dextrose: Facts vs. Fiction
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/dextrose-facts-vs-fiction.html

Please read this corn industry propaganda back from the early 1940s.  It is the corn industry that began equating dextrose (corn sugar) w/glucose (blood sugar), thereby endangering the lives of corn-allergic consumers and patients.  This false narrative has been recklessly propagated by the NIH National Library of Medicine.

The Corn Products Refining Company declared dextrose to be corn sugar back in the 1940s.

“Dextrose: All-American Corn Sugar,” Candy Professor, September 29, 2010
https://candyprofessor.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/dextrose-all-american-corn-sugar/

Glucose (blood sugar) must NEVER be equated with dextrose (corn sugar manufactured from cornstarch).
[This petition does NOT solicit donations.]
PETITION: Defund the NIH National Library of Medicine for Willful Negligence
https://www.change.org/p/united-states-department-of-health-human-services-defund-the-nih-national-library-of-medicine-for-willful-negligence

My July 2, 2020, Appeal to the NIH National Library of Medicine Re: PubChem CID 79025, Glucose (Blood Sugar) vs. Dextrose (Corn Sugar Derived from Cornstarch)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/07/my-july-2-2020-appeal-to-nih-national.html

My August 26, 2020, Email to the FDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine Re: Molecular Formula for Glucose (Blood Sugar) vs. Dextrose (Corn Sugar)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/my-august-26-2020-email-to-fda-and-nih.html

My August 29, 2020, Email to the FDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine Re: Immediate Revision of PubChem Documents Equating Glucose (Blood Sugar) with Dextrose (Corn Sugar)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-29-2020-email-to-fda-and-nih.html

My August 29, 2020, Email to the National Library of Medicine Re: Depositor-Supplied Synonyms in PubChem Documents; e.g., Grape Sugar
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-29-2020-email-to-national.html

My March 5, 2020, Email to the FDA Re: Dextrose (Corn Sugar), Code of Federal Regulation 21CFR184.1857, vs. Glucose (Blood Sugar)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/03/email-to-fda-re-dextrose-corn-sugar-per.html

In closing, never reference Wikipedia in determining facts.  This appears to be a corn-industry-driven website; e.g., they erroneously redirect the reader from "dextrose" to "glucose" if dextrose is referenced.  I am currently in discussions w/Wikipedia about this issue, and have raised my concerns with the 17 members of Congress who are medical doctors.  

Thank you very much for your attention to this critical concern.

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

Additional References:

United States Hospitals/Health Systems Contacted Re: Protocol for Treating Corn-Allergic Patients
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2017/07/united-states-hospitalshealth-systems.html

Colleges of Medicine Contacted Re: Protocol for Treating Corn-Allergic Patients
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/04/colleges-of-medicine-contacted-re.html

Colleges of Pharmacy Contacted Re: Protocol for Treating Corn-Allergic Patients
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/05/colleges-of-pharmacy-contacted-re.html

Dietitians/Nutritionists Contacted Re: Protocol for Treating Corn-Allergic Patients
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/

Corn Allergy References, Surveys, Studies, Statistics, & Petitions
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/04/corn-allergy-reference-links.html

August, 2020, Month-End Corn Allergy Statistics: 957.5% Increase in 86 Months
(Corn is ubiquitous and is EXEMPT from FDA labeling requirements, resulting in underreporting and suppression of corn allergy statistics).
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2017/04/corn-allergy-statistics-monthly.html

Blog Post Link:

My September 23, 2020, Email to NOW® Foods Re: Dextrose
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-september-23-2020-email-to-now-foods.html