Diabetes: Glucagon

________________________________________________________________________

KEY POINTS

• Glucagon, given with a needle and syringe (injectable) or through the nose as a powder (intranasal), may be used to treat dangerously low blood glucose (sugar) levels.
• Make sure you know how and when your child needs to take the medicine. Your child should not take more or less than your child is supposed to take. After your child takes glucagon and can swallow safely, your child will need to drink a fast-acting source of glucose such as a full-sugar soda or fruit juice. Once your child feels better, your child should eat food such as crackers and peanut butter.
• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what side effects the medicine may cause, and what you should do if your child has side effects.

________________________________________________________________________

What is glucagon used for?

Glucagon may be used to treat dangerously low blood glucose (sugar) levels. It can be given as given with a needle and syringe (injectable) or through the nose as a powder (intranasal). Glucagon is used if the person is not able to eat or drink safely or is unconscious. Give glucagon as soon as possible after seeing that the person with diabetes has low blood glucose and is not able to take a form of glucose by mouth.

Call emergency services right away if you need to take or need to give glucagon. People with diabetes, and a family member if possible, should know the symptoms of low blood glucose and how to administer glucagon.

Symptoms of low blood glucose may include shakiness, hunger, nervousness, or anxiety, grumpiness or irritability, sweating or chills, lightheadedness, nausea, headache, fast pulse, and confusion.

If your child has diabetes, talk to your provider about the need to keep glucagon on hand in case of an emergency. You or your child should carry it with you.

How does it work?

Like insulin, glucagon is a hormone made in the pancreas. The 2 hormones have opposite effects.

• Insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells. It keeps blood glucose from getting too high.
• Glucagon moves glucose stored in the liver into the blood. It keeps blood glucose from getting too low.

If your child takes too much insulin compared to the amount of food eaten or the amount of physical activity you child has done, your child’s blood glucose may drop quickly. Your child’s pancreas cannot make enough glucagon to raise your child’s blood glucose quickly. Injectable or intranasal glucagon does the work of the pancreas and keeps the blood glucose level from getting too low.

What else do I need to know about this medicine?

• Glucagon comes in an emergency kit or tube that contains:
  • A powder that must be mixed before it is injected with a needle and syringe
  • A prefilled syringe
  • A device filled with an intranasal powder

Be sure you and a family member know how to give the glucagon that comes in the emergency kit or tube.

• Follow the directions that come with the medicine, including information about food or alcohol. Make sure you know how and when your child needs to take the medicine. Your child should not take more or less than your child is supposed to take.
• After your child takes glucagon and can swallow safely, your child will need to drink a fast-acting source of glucose such as a full-sugar soda or fruit juice. Once your child feels better, your child should eat food such as crackers and peanut butter.
• Try to get all of your child’s prescriptions filled at the same place. Your pharmacist can help make sure that all of your child’s medicines are safe to take together.
• Keep a list of your child’s medicines with you. Tell your child's healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines, natural remedies, vitamins, and supplements your child takes.
• Many medicines have side effects. A side effect is a symptom or problem that is caused by the medicine. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what side effects the medicine may cause, and what you should do if your child has side effects.

If you have not needed to use the glucagon medicine for a time, check the expiration date on the package to be sure it has not expired. If it is expired, replace it.

If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. Be sure to keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.