From the Guidelines
The treatment for hypoglycemia should begin with consuming 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets, 4 ounces of fruit juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, or 8 ounces of milk, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. This approach is based on the latest standards of care in diabetes, which emphasize the importance of prompt treatment to prevent further complications. The guidelines suggest that if blood glucose levels remain below 70 mg/dL after 15 minutes, the treatment should be repeated 1. It is also crucial to follow up with a meal or snack to prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia once blood sugar levels have normalized. For severe hypoglycemia, where the individual is unconscious or unable to swallow safely, emergency treatment with glucagon is necessary, with dosing based on age and weight 1. Long-term management involves identifying and addressing the underlying cause of hypoglycemia, which may include adjusting diabetes medications, addressing hormonal deficiencies, or treating other medical conditions. Key points to consider in the treatment of hypoglycemia include:
- Consuming 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates as the initial treatment
- Repeating treatment if blood glucose levels remain low after 15 minutes
- Following up with a meal or snack to prevent recurrence
- Using glucagon for severe hypoglycemia when necessary
- Identifying and addressing the underlying cause of hypoglycemia for long-term management, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Glucagon for Injection is for subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous injection. Administer intravenously ONLY under medical supervision. The recommended dosage is 1 mg (1 mL) injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly into the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks, or intravenously If there has been no response after 15 minutes, an additional 1 mg dose (1 mL) of Glucagon for Injection may be administered using a new kit while waiting for emergency assistance.
The treatment for hypoglycemia is Glucagon for Injection. The recommended dosage for adults and pediatric patients weighing more than 25 kg or for pediatric patients with unknown weight 6 years and older is 1 mg (1 mL) injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly into the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks, or intravenously. If there is no response after 15 minutes, an additional 1 mg dose (1 mL) of Glucagon for Injection may be administered using a new kit while waiting for emergency assistance 2.
- Key points:
- Glucagon for Injection is used to treat severe hypoglycemia.
- The dosage for pediatric patients weighing less than 25 kg or for pediatric patients with unknown weight less than 6 years of age is 0.5 mg (0.5 mL).
- Glucagon for Injection should be administered as soon as possible when severe hypoglycemia is recognized 2.
- Important administration instructions:
- Administer intravenously ONLY under medical supervision.
- Call for emergency assistance immediately after administering the dose.
- When the patient has responded to the treatment and is able to swallow, give oral carbohydrates to restore the liver glycogen and prevent recurrence of hypoglycemia 2.
From the Research
Treatment for Hypoglycemia
The treatment for hypoglycemia typically involves the administration of carbohydrates to raise blood glucose levels. The following are some key points to consider:
- For nonsevere hypoglycemia, a quantity of 15-20 g of oral glucose is recommended, which can be repeated after 15 minutes if hypoglycemia persists 3.
- Glucose or sucrose in the form of tablets or solutions can provide effective therapy for moderately severe hypoglycemia, with both sugars seeming equivalent 4.
- However, the optimal dose of carbohydrate may need to be individualized based on factors such as body weight or type of insulin delivery system 3, 5.
- For severe hypoglycemia, intravenous glucagon or dextrose can be effective treatments, with glucagon being a useful alternative to dextrose due to its ease of administration and low risk of complications 6.
- Intranasal glucagon is also a promising approach for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia, offering a more convenient and practical alternative to traditional injection methods 7.
- The amount of carbohydrate needed to rescue hypoglycemia may be reduced with the use of predictive low-glucose suspend systems, which can help minimize rebound hyperglycemia and unnecessary calorie intake 5.
Types of Treatment
Some common types of treatment for hypoglycemia include:
- Oral glucose or sucrose
- Intravenous glucagon or dextrose
- Intranasal glucagon
- Carbohydrate supplements, such as glucose tablets or gels
Important Considerations
When treating hypoglycemia, it is essential to consider the following: