Imagine that one of your family members or a close friend has diabetes. Suddenly, his blood sugar level drops so low that he cannot speak and becomes unconscious. At such a time, you cannot even give him some sugar, because due to his lack of consciousness, it can get stuck in his throat. Today, we are talking about a special medicine that is used to save lives in such an emergency and serious situation. That is the Glucagon injection .
What is glucagon? What does it actually do?
Simply put, Glucagon is a hormone produced by our own body. It acts as the opposite of the hormone insulin. While insulin lowers blood sugar (glucose), glucagon increases blood sugar levels.
Sometimes, due to medication (especially insulin) or not eating on time, blood sugar levels can drop dangerously low. This is called hypoglycemia . When this condition becomes severe (severe hypoglycemia), the patient may lose consciousness or even have seizures.
In such a severe case, since the patient cannot take sugar by mouth, a glucagon injection is given. This injection directly sends a signal to our liver, saying, "Emergency! Quickly release the sugar stored in the body into the blood." Then, glucose from the liver is added to the blood, and the sugar level gradually increases. This is a life-saving process.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Glucagon is not a one-size-fits-all medication. If your doctor prescribes it for you or someone in your family, it is important to clearly explain the following conditions:
| Situation to be aware of | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | If you have heart disease, tell your doctor about it. |
| Pancreatic tumor | If you have a pancreatic tumor (e.g., insulinoma). |
| Pheochromocytoma | This is a special type of tumor that develops in the adrenal gland. If this is present, giving glucagon can cause a significant increase in blood pressure. |
| Nutritional deficiencies or fasting | If you don't eat properly and are malnourished, your liver may run out of sugar stores. Then glucagon won't work. |
| Decreased function of the adrenal glands | If your adrenal glands are underactive, be aware of that as well. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to glucagon or any other medicine or food. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How to use a glucagon injection?
This usually comes as an injection. It can be given subcutaneously or intramuscularly . In a hospital setting, it can sometimes be given into a vein.
The most important thing is that if the doctor gives this medicine to someone in your family, he will clearly teach you and the rest of the family how to use it in an emergency. Follow those instructions exactly.
What do you do with used needles?
This is very important. It is strictly forbidden to throw used needles and syringes in the trash. Doing so can cause serious injury to those who are removing the waste. These should be placed in a special thick plastic container (sharps container) that is provided. If you do not have one, ask your doctor about it.
The most important things to keep in mind when using this medicine are:
- Seek immediate medical attention: This is the most important thing. Even if the patient regains consciousness after the glucagon injection, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention . Call an ambulance or take them to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. This is because the effects of glucagon are temporary and hypoglycemia can occur again.
- Inform family and friends: Let your family and close friends know where your glucagon kit is and how to use it in an emergency. Practice using it before you have an emergency.
- After regaining consciousness: After the injection, when the patient regains consciousness and is able to swallow, give them something sugary to eat or drink (fruit juice, glucose, a sweet drink, a biscuit). This can help prevent hypoglycemia from occurring again.
- Wear a medical ID: If you have diabetes, it is very important to wear a medical ID bracelet or chain that states that you have diabetes. Also, keep a card in your purse with details of the medications you take.
Important: Do not try to give anything by mouth while the patient is unconscious. This can cause the object to become lodged in the airway and make the situation worse.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, glucagon can cause minor side effects. However, there are some things you should be very careful about.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| A severe allergic reaction | If you experience sudden symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing, this is an emergency. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Nausea and vomiting | This is the most common side effect. It usually goes away after a while. |
What if I take too much medicine?
If you suspect that you have taken more than the recommended dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or take the patient to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Glucagon is an emergency, life-saving medicine given to a person with diabetes who has very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) and is losing consciousness. It is not a daily medication.
- After giving the injection, even if the patient regains consciousness, immediately take them to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) or call an ambulance.
- Teach your family and loved ones how to use this Glucagon kit and get them used to it before an emergency occurs.
- Once the patient regains consciousness, if they can swallow, give them something sugary (like fruit juice). This can help prevent the blood sugar level from dropping again.
- Always check the expiration date of your glucagon kit. Get a new one before it expires.
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