If you have diabetes, or if someone in your family has diabetes, you have probably heard about the sudden drop in blood sugar levels. Perhaps you have experienced it yourself. That sudden feeling of sweating, shaking, blurred vision, and dizziness... We call this low blood sugar, or in medical terms, `(Hypoglycemia)`. Glucose powder is a very important medicine that is used to quickly provide the body with some sugar in such an emergency. Today, we will talk about this in detail.
Simply put, what is Glucose Oral Powder?
This is a type of sugar that can be used in an emergency, and is quickly absorbed by the body. To be precise, these are glucose. This medicine is used to quickly restore your blood sugar level when it drops dangerously low. These usually come in small packets as a powder. The special thing about this is that it starts to be absorbed by the body right under the tongue as soon as you put it in your mouth. Therefore, you don't have to wait for the sugar to go into the stomach and be digested and added to the blood. The results are very fast.
The important thing is, this is not a medicine that you would normally take every day. This is a life-saving medicine that is used only in emergencies.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Even though this is an emergency medication, it is very important that you give your doctor a complete description of your health condition when he or she prescribes it for you. Be sure to mention these things in particular.
- Swallowing difficulties: If you have difficulty swallowing, or have difficulty swallowing, please tell us about it.
- Allergies: Be sure to mention if you have any allergies to glucose, any other medicine, food, or preservatives.
- Pregnancy: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: You should also mention that if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Based on this information, your doctor will decide how appropriate this medication is for you and how to use it.
How exactly do you use this?
The way to use this is very simple.
1. First, read the instructions on the packet carefully.
2. Open the packet and place all the powder in it directly on your tongue .
3. Don't drink water. Let the powder dissolve on your tongue. It dissolves very quickly and begins to be absorbed into the body through the mucous membranes in your mouth.
If you are giving this to young children, talk to your doctor about it. The dosage may vary depending on the child. Therefore, do not give these to young children without medical advice.
What do you do if you take too much by mistake?
As this is an emergency medicine, the risk of overdose is generally low. However, if someone accidentally takes too much, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or, take them to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) .
Things you need to know about blood sugar fluctuations
Just as important as using glucose powder is understanding the symptoms of low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) so you can recognize the condition quickly and take necessary action.
| Status | Recognizable features |
|---|---|
| Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) |
|
| High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) |
|
Be careful about these things too!
- If your blood sugar is still low after treatment: If you take two doses of glucose powder and your blood sugar level does not return to normal, call your doctor immediately or go to a hospital.
- If you lose consciousness: Imagine if someone's blood sugar drops and they have a seizure, or if they lose consciousness and fall, do not put this powder or anything else in their mouth at that time. If you do, those things can go into their lungs and cause suffocation. The best thing to do at such a time is to immediately call an ambulance or take them to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
- Wear a Medical ID: If you have diabetes, it's important to wear a Medical ID bracelet or necklace that says so. At the very least, keep a card in your purse that lists your condition, medications, and dosages. It could be a lifesaver in an emergency.
Possible side effects of this medicine
This medicine usually does not cause major side effects. However, sometimes you can see things like this.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Things to tell your doctor immediately: | |
| Allergic Reactions | Symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome: | |
| High Blood Sugar | Hungry more than usual, increased thirst, frequent urination, unusual fatigue, blurred vision. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
How to store the medicine?
Since this is an emergency medicine, it's important to keep it where you can easily get it. Also,
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature, in a cool, dry place . Avoid storing in high humidity areas, such as the bathroom.
- Discard any medication that has passed its expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- Glucose powder is not a daily medication. It is a life-saving medication used only in emergencies when blood sugar levels are dangerously low (hypoglycemia).
- Be aware of the symptoms of low and high blood sugar so you can recognize the condition quickly.
- Before using this medicine, tell your doctor about all your allergies and other medical conditions.
- If someone becomes unconscious due to low blood sugar, do not give anything by mouth. Take them to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
- If you have diabetes, always carry a medical ID or card that states your condition.
- If you have any questions about this medication or your diabetes, talk openly with your doctor.


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