Type 1 Diabetes
Glucagon Injections for Severe Hypoglycemia
What is glucagon?
Glucagon is a hormone made in the pancreas, like insulin. However, it has the opposite effect of insulin. It raises the blood sugar level rather than lowering it. Glucagon injections are used in emergency situations when someone is having a severe low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia). It is rarely needed, but if you have type 1 diabetes, you should keep glucagon on hand in case of an emergency. A family member, friend and co-worker should be trained to give the glucagon.
- Glucagon comes in a glucagon emergency kit.
- Keep the glucagon in a convenient place.
- Check the expiration date regularly and replace it when it becomes outdated.
- You will need glucagon when you are unable to swallow, unconscious or having a seizure.
When and how should my family/friend use glucagon?
Follow the directions on the emergency kit for mixing. Read the instructions that come with this medicine so that they will know what to do.
- The glucagon is in a vial (bottle) containing a 1 mg powder. A Glucagon Emergency Kit has the fluid in a syringe to inject into the bottle. After mixing, the same syringe or an insulin syringe can be used to give the shot just as one would give insulin.
- The amount injected should be prescribed by your health care provider – usually 1cc for adults.
- It should be injected either deep into the muscle (in front of leg or upper, outer arm) or into the subcutaneous fat (just as one would an insulin shot). Both work fine.
- He/she should turn you on your side as you may vomit.
- After 10 minutes he/she should check your blood sugar. If you are still unconscious and the blood sugar is still below 60 mg/dl (3.2 mmol/L), they may need to give a second dose of glucagon (same amount as first dose).
- If you don't respond to the second dose of glucagon or if you have any trouble breathing, they should call 911.
- As soon as you wake up, they will need to give you small sips of juice, non diet soda or sugar water. After 10 minutes, they should give you solid food (crackers and peanut butter or cheese sandwich, etc.).
- Call your diabetes care provider to report the severe reaction before you give your next insulin injection (so your provider can prescribe a change in the dose if needed). Complete recovery may take 1 to 6 hours.
