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Glutamine (N2-L-alanyl-L-glutamine) Intravenous for Adults
Who can administer
May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife
Important information
- Administer under direction of dietician only
- Review use once patient leaves ICU (ask for dietician review)
Available preparations
Dipeptiven 13.46g L-glutamine per 100mL
Reconstitution
Already in solution
Infusion fluids
The manufacturers recommend the addition of Dipeptiven to TPN.
However, we cannot recommend that this type of addition be made until there is a dedicated pharmacy service which can perform these additions in a sterile environment using trained personnel.
The alternative forms of administration are given below (diluted via a peripheral line, or undiluted via a central line)
Methods of intravenous administration
Intermittent intravenous infusion (administer using an electronically controlled infusion device)
Central line
- Can be administered undiluted
- Administer over at least four hours- but rate is determined by the dietician
Peripheral line
- Usually diluted with Sodium Chloride 0.9% (can also use Glucose 5%)
- For example, 100mL can be diluted with at least 100mL of infusion fluid (typically added to 250mL)
- Administer over at least four hours- but rate is determined by the dietician
Dose in adults
Usual dose
- Give 1.5 to 2.5mL/kg every twenty-four hours
- This equates to 100 to 175mL daily for a 70kg patient
- Maximum dose is 2.5mL/kg daily
- Rate of administration is determined by the dietician
- Experience with use for longer than nine days is limited, and the duration of treatment should not exceed three weeks
Monitoring
- Monitor LFT's serum electrolytes, serum osmolarity, water balance, acid-base balance
Storage
Store below 250C
References
SPC February 2015
Therapeutic classification
Nutritional supplement