Imagine if your friend or family member, who has diabetes, suddenly has a very low blood sugar level and is about to lose consciousness. At such a time, you would be panicking and not knowing what to do, right? Today we are talking about a special medicine that comes in the form of a nasal powder that can be used in such life-saving emergencies. This is like something that should be in a first aid kit.
Simply put, what is this medicine?
This medicine is called glucagon . It is used as an emergency treatment for diabetics when their blood sugar levels drop very low, that is, severe hypoglycemia . It is like someone who works in the opposite direction to insulin. While insulin lowers blood sugar, glucagon raises blood sugar levels.
How does it happen? Our liver is like a sugar storehouse. Normally, it stores sugar to be used when needed. When blood sugar levels get dangerously low, this glucagon medicine is injected into the nose, and it sends a signal to the liver, saying, "Emergency! Quickly release the stored sugar into the blood." Then, as the sugar is released from the liver and added to the blood, the sugar level gradually rises.
Important: This is only a temporary solution in an emergency. After administering this medicine , you should immediately call an ambulance or take the patient to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU), as further treatment may be required.
This medicine is most commonly found in the market under the name BAQSIMI .
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
If your doctor prescribes this medication for you or someone in your family, you should definitely tell them if you have any of the following conditions, as the effectiveness of this medication may change in such cases.
| Health condition or opportunity | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Adrenal disease | Problems with these glands can affect hormone function. |
| Pancreatic tumors | Some types of tumors (e.g. glucagonoma, insulinoma) may respond differently to glucagon. |
| Pheochromocytoma | This is a type of tumor that occurs in the adrenal gland, and glucagon can cause high blood pressure. |
| Eating less due to illness, surgery, or diet | If the body's sugar stores (liver glycogen) are empty, there may not be enough sugar left for glucagon to work. |
| Poor nutrition | For the same reason as above, if the body's sugar reserves are low, the effects of the medicine may be reduced. |
| Allergies to glucagon or other substances | It is important to inform us if you have any allergies to medications, foods, preservatives, etc. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is essential to talk to the doctor about the possible effects on the child. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | Consult your doctor about whether the medicine passes to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this?
Since this is something that is used in an emergency, it is very important to know exactly what to do in an emergency. Therefore, it is important to educate not only yourself, but also your family and friends who are with you on how to use this before an emergency occurs .
1.Let everyone know where your medicine is: Let your family know where your medicine is (bag, drawer).
2. Call emergency services immediately after the first dose: After instilling the medicine into the nose, without a second thought , immediately call 1990 and get an ambulance or take the patient to the nearest hospital's ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) .
3. Turn the patient on their side: After giving the medicine, carefully turn the unconscious person on their side. This is because sometimes vomiting can occur when they regain consciousness. If this happens, this will help the vomit to come out through the mouth without getting stuck in the lungs.
4. Give a second dose if necessary: If the patient is still unconscious while waiting for the ambulance, another dose may need to be given. This should be done using a new device . The same device cannot be used twice.
5. Don't leave the person alone even if they regain consciousness: Stay with the patient until medical help arrives. Even if they regain consciousness, don't leave them alone as their blood sugar may drop again.
Read and understand the instruction leaflet that comes with this medicine carefully. If there is anything you do not understand, ask your doctor.
Can this be given to young children?
Even for children over 1 year of age, doctors may recommend this medicine in some special cases. But only your doctor should decide on this. Therefore, if you are using this for a child, follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What happens if you take too much medicine?
This is an emergency medicine so the chances of this happening are low. However, if you think you have overdosed in any way, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to an ETU immediately.
Things to be careful about when using this medicine
If you have diabetes and your doctor has prescribed this medication for you, keep these points in mind.
- Always keep it with you: Make sure to carry this medicine in your bag wherever you go. We never know when and where an emergency may strike.
- Wear a medical ID: It's important to wear a bracelet or necklace that says you have diabetes. Also, keep a card in your purse with a list of your medications. This will make it easier for someone helping you to understand your condition, even if you are unconscious.
- Check the expiration date: Always check the expiration date of the medicine. Expired medicine will not give the correct results.
- Be aware of your blood sugar levels: Learn how to measure your blood sugar levels. Also, be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and how to manage them.
- Keep something that provides quick sugar nearby:Always keep something nearby that you can eat as soon as you feel symptoms of low blood sugar ( dizziness , sweating, palpitations). For example, glucose toffee, sugar cubes, or a bottle of sugary drink.
- Inform others: Tell family and friends that it is not a good idea to put food or drink in the mouth when you are unconscious or have severe symptoms such as seizures, as doing so can cause choking. Explain to them that you should seek medical help immediately in such a situation and that you should give this glucagon until medical help arrives.
Again, a reminder: Even if the patient regains consciousness and is able to talk well after being given this medicine, they should still be taken to a hospital immediately. This is because the effects of glucagon are temporary. Within a few hours, the blood sugar level can drop dangerously again.
Once the person regains consciousness and is able to swallow well, give them something to eat or drink that contains carbohydrates to stop the blood sugar from dropping too low. For example, you can give them some rice, a piece of bread, a biscuit, or a glass of fruit juice.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause some side effects, but these are usually not serious when compared to the benefits it provides.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor or ETU immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Symptoms include skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, and difficulty breathing. This is a serious emergency. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | Common headache after using the medicine. |
| Nausea and vomiting | This is a condition that can happen to many people. This is why it is important to turn the patient in the prone position. |
| Nasal discomfort | Things like dryness, inflammation, runny nose, or nasal congestion inside the nose. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor.
How do you keep this medicine safe?
- Keep away from children: Keep it in a safe place out of the reach of small children and pets.
- Store at room temperature: Store at room temperature below 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). Protect from extreme heat or extreme cold.
- Keep in original packaging: Keep the medicine in the plastic wrap (shrink wrap) it came in until you are ready to use it. If it is opened, the quality of the medicine may decrease.
- Single-use: Each tube contains only one dose. It cannot be reused.
This article only provides a brief overview of glucagon nasal powder. If you have any further questions, please speak to your doctor for more information.
Take-Home Message
- Glucagon nasal powder is a life-saving emergency treatment given to diabetics when their blood sugar levels drop very low (severe hypoglycemia).
- If you have been prescribed this medication, teach your family and loved ones how to use it before an emergency occurs.
- Immediately after using the medicine, even if the patient regains consciousness, an ambulance must be called or the patient must be taken to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
- Once the patient regains consciousness and is able to swallow well, give them a carbohydrate-containing food (e.g. bread, biscuits) to prevent the blood sugar level from dropping again.
- Always carry this medicine with you and check its expiration date regularly.
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