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Diabetes: How to Give Glucagon

Overview

People with diabetes sometimes get very low blood sugar. If they are unconscious, they need glucagon right away.

Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar quickly. It can be given as a shot or as a powder that's sprayed into the nose.

If someone close to you has diabetes, you may need to give them the glucagon shot or nose spray during a low blood sugar emergency.

Learn the steps for how to give glucagon either as a shot or a nose spray. Keep the instructions with the medicine. Review the steps often, and check the expiration date on the glucagon medicine.

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Giving the shot

A glucagon kit has a syringe that contains liquid. The kit also has a bottle that contains the medicine, which is a powder.

Follow the instructions in the kit to mix the powder and the liquid. Put this mixture back into the syringe. Follow the directions on the package for how much medicine to give.

1. Choose the injection site. Choose a clean area on the buttock, upper arm, or thigh where you will give the injection (shot).

2. Insert the needle. Keeping your fingers off the plunger, hold the syringe like a pencil close to the site. Then insert the needle.

3. Give the injection. Push the plunger of the syringe all the way in so the medicine goes in the body. Remove the needle from the skin slowly. Use the same angle you used to put it in.

4. Turn the person on their side after giving the shot. This can keep them from choking if they vomit.

5. Call for emergency help. After you give the glucagon shot, call 911 or other emergency services. If help has not arrived within 15 minutes and the person is still unconscious, give another glucagon shot.

6. Give quick-sugar food. Give some glucose tablets or quick-sugar food such as hard candy or juice when the person is alert and able to swallow. Also give them some long-acting source of carbohydrate such as crackers and cheese. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives.

Anytime a person who has diabetes gets glucagon, they should talk to a doctor to try to find out what caused the low blood sugar.

Giving the nasal spray

Glucagon nasal spray is absorbed through the membranes in the nose. It doesn't have to be inhaled. It will work even if the person getting the medicine has a cold. Follow the directions with the device.

1. Pull on the red tab, and remove the shrink wrap from the bottle.

2. Remove the nasal spray device from the bottle. Don't push the plunger until you're ready to give the medicine.

3. Hold the nasal spray device between your thumb and first two fingers.

4. Put the tip of the device into one nostril until your fingers touch the person's nose.

5. Push the plunger firmly until it stops. This completes the dose.

6. Turn the person on their side in case of vomiting.

7. Call 911.

When the person is alert and able to swallow, give a quick-sugar food like juice or jam. Glucose tablets will also work.

If the person isn't alert in 15 minutes and you have another spray device, you can give a second dose. (Each device contains one dose.) The person's blood sugar should be checked for several hours after glucagon is given.

Credits

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

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Health Tools

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Houston Cardiovascular Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded HCA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary