How to Use Glucagon

Diabetes is a potentially fatal disease if it's not monitored and controlled properly. When the blood sugar level of a diabetic is too low, loss of consciousness could follow, requiring an injection of glucagon to restore function. Learn how to use glucagon correctly and effectively to help a diabetic in need.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Understand that glucagon is a hormone that is used to treat severe low blood sugar during a diabetes attack. glucagon forces the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream. It takes approximately five to 15 minutes for the glucagon to work in a diabetic person with low blood sugar.
2. Ask your doctor for a prescription for a glucagon emergency kit if you have diabetes. The kit contains the powder form of glucagon and the special liquid that needs to be mixed with the powder before it can be injected. The kit also contains the syringe needed for the injection.
3. Prepare the glucagon for injection. The syringe contains the liquid that needs to be mixed with the glucagon powder before injection. Take the syringe and insert the tip into the container of powder, injecting the entire liquid substance. Gently shake the container to mix the contents together until the powder is dissolved. While the syringe is still inside the container, tip the contents upside down, and slowly pull back on the syringe to suction the glucagon into it. Be sure to keep the tip of the syringe in the liquid at all times during this process.
4. Inject the glucagon into the individual. Cleanse the injection site (buttocks, thigh or arm) with alcohol. Insert the needle, administering all of the glucagon in the syringe. Remove the needle and apply pressure to the puncture. Turn the person on his side immediately after the injection, as many people who receive the glucagon vomit upon waking. Turning on the side helps to avoid choking.
5. Offer the person something to eat or drink when he wakes up after an injection of glucagon. Glucagon works for approximately 90 minutes; have the person eat or drink something sugary to avoid a relapse.
6. Call the doctor after administering glucagon. The individual needs to be monitored and checked out for optimum health.

Tips & Warnings

• You can't overdose on glucagon, so administer the whole dose during injection.
• Always follow the directions and dosing instructions given by your doctor when administering glucagon.
• The solution that is to be mixed with the glucagon should be clear. If it's not clear, don't use it.
• Glucagon emergency kits expire. Periodically check the expiration date of your kit and replace it before it expires.
• Don't mix the glucagon in advance of when it is needed. Glucagon, once mixed, has to be used right away.