Glucose (dextrose) 2D chemical structure. Formula C6H12O6 (anhydrous); IUPAC (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal; CAS 50-99-7.

Glucose Chemical Structure

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1. Identification

Summary

Glucose (D-glucose; dextrose) is a naturally occurring aldohexose monosaccharide that serves as a primary cellular energy source and a key metabolic substrate in humans. In clinical use, glucose solutions treat hypoglycemia, provide calories and fluid in parenteral nutrition, and are used in diagnostic tests (e.g., OGTT).

Brand Names

Generic glucose/dextrose products; region-dependent examples exist (tablets, gels, oral solutions, IV infusions).

Name

Glucose (D-glucose; dextrose)

Background

Endogenous nutrient central to glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Pharmaceutical forms include oral tablets/gel and sterile IV solutions (various strengths).

Modality

Small molecule

Groups

Nutrient; OTC/Rx (product-dependent)

Structure

Glucose (dextrose) chemical structure, 2D skeletal formula, C6H12O6
Glucose (dextrose) 2D chemical structure. Formula C6H12O6 (anhydrous); IUPAC (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal; CAS 50-99-7.

Weight

~180.16 g/mol (anhydrous); 198.17 g/mol (monohydrate)

Chemical Formula

C₆H₁₂O₆ (anhydrous); C₆H₁₂O₆·H₂O (monohydrate)

Synonyms

Dextrose; D-glucose; grape sugar; β-D-glucopyranose (cyclic form)

External IDs

CAS (D-glucose/anhydrous): 50-99-7; CAS (monohydrate): 5996-10-1
PubChem CID: 5793 (D-glucose)
UNII (anhydrous dextrose): 5SL0G7R0OK; UNII (monohydrate): LX22YL083G; UNII (dextrose, unspecified): IY9XDZ35W2

2. Pharmacology

Indication

Treatment of hypoglycemia; caloric and fluid source in parenteral nutrition; component of oral rehydration; carbohydrate load for oral glucose tolerance testing.

Associated Conditions

Hypoglycemia (diabetes therapy–related or spontaneous), dehydration, perioperative or critical-care caloric needs, diagnostic use.

Associated Therapies

With insulin (e.g., to prevent hypoglycemia during insulin therapy for hyperkalemia); combined with electrolytes in IV fluids; used in standardized OGTT protocols.

Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings

No boxed warning. Avoid/use caution in severe hyperglycemia, intracranial/intraspinal hemorrhage where hyperosmolar fluids are contraindicated, and in patients at risk of fluid overload. Check product-specific labeling.

Pharmacodynamics

Raises plasma glucose concentration; supplies substrate for ATP generation; high concentrations exert osmotic effects (diuresis, shifts in water balance).

Mechanism of action

Transport via SGLT/GLUT transporters → intracellular metabolism through glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation; storage as glycogen; entry into pentose phosphate pathway and biosynthetic routes.

Absorption

Oral absorption is rapid and efficient via SGLT1 in the small intestine; IV administration results in immediate systemic availability.

Volume of distribution

Distributes into total body water and tissues; rapid cellular uptake driven by insulin-regulated and basal GLUT transporters (value depends on physiologic state and dosing).

Protein binding

Negligible

Metabolism

Widespread cellular metabolism to pyruvate/CO₂ + H₂O; incorporation into glycogen, lipids, and other biomolecules.

Route of elimination

Ultimately exhaled as CO₂ (metabolic); urinary excretion of intact glucose occurs when renal threshold is exceeded (e.g., marked hyperglycemia).

Half-life

Not fixed (endogenous substrate with rapid turnover); pharmacodynamic effect depends on dose, route, and metabolic demand.

Clearance

Predominantly metabolic utilization; apparent clearance varies with endocrine and nutritional status.

Adverse Effects

Hyperglycemia, glycosuria, fluid/electrolyte disturbances (especially with hypertonic IV solutions), vein irritation/phlebitis (IV), and rare extravasation injury with hyperosmolar solutions.

Toxicity

Excessive dosing may cause severe hyperglycemia, hyperosmolar states, and electrolyte shifts; management is supportive and may require insulin and careful fluid/electrolyte correction.

Pathways

Glycolysis (Embden–Meyerhof); pentose phosphate pathway; glycogen synthesis/breakdown; numerous anabolic pathways.

Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs

No routine pharmacogenomic considerations; physiologic response depends on endocrine milieu (e.g., insulin/glucagon dynamics).

3. Interactions

Drug Interactions

  • Insulin and insulin secretagogues: antagonistic effect on blood glucose; dosing balance required.
  • Sodium–glucose cotransporter inhibitors (SGLT2): may alter glycosuria thresholds and glycemic profiles.
  • Hyperkalemia therapy: glucose is co-administered with insulin to mitigate hypoglycemia risk.

Food Interactions

Oral absorption is efficient; gastric emptying and mixed-meal composition can modulate timing of peak glucose levels.

4. Categories

ATC Codes

V06DC01 (carbohydrates; nutrients)
V04CA02 (tests for diabetes)
B05CX01 (other irrigating solutions)

Drug Categories

Nutrient; Diagnostic agent; Parenteral solution component; Small molecule

Chemical Taxonomy

Aldohexose; monosaccharide; typically β-D-glucopyranose in solution; multiple tautomers/anomers

Affected organisms

Humans (therapeutic/nutritional use)

5. Chemical Identifiers

UNII

5SL0G7R0OK (anhydrous dextrose); LX22YL083G (dextrose monohydrate); IY9XDZ35W2 (dextrose, unspecified)

CAS number

50-99-7 (D-glucose); 5996-10-1 (D-glucose monohydrate)

InChI Key

GZCGUPFRVQAUEE-SLPGGIOYSA-N (D-glucose/anhydrous dextrose)

InChI

InChI=1S/C6H12O6/c7-1-2-3(8)4(9)5(10)6(11)12-2/h2-11H,1H2/t2-,3-,4+,5-,6-/m0/s1 (β-D-glucopyranose)

IUPAC Name

(2R,3S,4R,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal (open-chain D-glucose)

SMILES

OC[C@H]1OC@@HC@@HC@H[C@H]1O (β-D-glucopyranose; one valid isomeric representation)

6. References

  • KEGG COMPOUND C00031 (D-Glucose) — formula, exact mass, aliases. KEGG
  • KEGG DRUG D00009 (Glucose) — ATC codes B05CX01, V04CA02, V06DC01; drug classification. KEGG
  • ATC/DDD Index (FHI) — V04CA02 (glucose; tests for diabetes); B05CX01 (glucose; other irrigating solutions); V06DC01 (carbohydrates—glucose). atcddd.fhi.no+2atcddd.fhi.no+2
  • UNII (FDA GSRS) — anhydrous dextrose 5SL0G7R0OK (InChIKey GZCGUPFRVQAUEE-SLPGGIOYSA-N); dextrose unspecified IY9XDZ35W2; monohydrate LX22YL083G. precisionFDA+3precisionFDA+3precisionFDA+3
  • DailyMed — glucose/dextrose injection solutions; monohydrate formula C₆H₁₂O₆·H₂O and MW 198.17. DailyMed+2DailyMed+2
  • NIST WebBook / Cheminformatics sources — β-D-glucopyranose InChI/InChIKey; representative SMILES. NIST WebBook+2chemeo.com+2

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