Glucagon: Insulin "Antidote" Not in All Pumpers' Homes
"It's like not wearing a seat belt," states Dr Alan O. Marcus, M.D., F.A.C.P., of Laguna Hills, CA and Assistant Professor at USC, Los Angeles. Dr Marcus is referring to glucagon, a drug that, like a seat belt, could save your life if you are in a serious accident. In this case the accident is a blood sugar so low you aren't able to help yourself. Glucagon acts like an antidote if friends or family members can't get you to take sugar.
A British study found that of 504 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, only 30% kept glucagon at home. Twenty one percent had been given glucagon at home at least once and most were convinced that this had prevented an emergency room visit or hospital admission.
For Your Safety, Don't Forget Glucagon!
Sometimes reactions happen when you're sleeping or come on too quickly to treat. For times like those, your family and friends should have glucagon and know how to use it! Make sure they know where you keep your glucagon emergency kit.
Don't forget to inform new roommates or new spouses. Also, be sure to check the expiration date on your glucagon every year (perhaps New Years Day). It would be a shame to have a trip to the emergency room or a visit from the paramedics, just because your glucagon was expired or your family didn't know where to find it!
What Is Glucagon?
Glucagon is a hormone which is made by the alpha cells of the pancreas. It raises blood sugar by causing release of glucose stored in the liver.
You need glucagon if:
- You are unconscious and your blood sugar is either unknown or below 60 mg/dl.
- You are conscious and in a low blood sugar reaction but unable or unwilling to ingest food to treat the reaction.
How Is Glucagon Supplied?
A Glucagon Emergency Kit is available at pharmacies. The kit contains 2 items: a syringe filled with diluting fluid, and a vial with powdered glucagon. Since the glucagon is not stable after it is mixed, it must be mixed just before use.
How Can I Teach My Family To Do This?
Your doctor or diabetes nurse educator should be the person to teach your family members when and how to give glucagon. They should be told "Don't worry, you can't injure or hurt anyone by giving this medicine. It is even safe during pregnancy". One suggestion is to take a 3 x 5 card and have your family member write the steps down in their own handwriting (See below). Family members should practice giving injections (of saline for instance) to ease anxiety in an emergency.
Where Can I Get Glucagon?
Glucagon is available at pharmacies with a prescription from your physician. Glucagon should be covered under your insurance policy. You will need to replace it once a year. If you have 80% coverage, the cost to you will probably be less that $6.
Why Should I Be So Concerned about Glucagon?
This comes back to the seat belt question. You may have been driving for 20 years without a serious automobile accident, but you still use seat belts, just in case. It is the same with glucagon. If you are in an insulin reaction and your family members can't wake you, it could be serious.
Dr. Marcus sums up his advice on glucagon, "I tell all my diabetes patients that they must have glucagon at home and they must train their 'significant other' on how to use it. If they don't have glucagon and have to call the paramedics, they risk losing money in the emergency room, and there is a potential of brain cell damage if there is a delay in getting sugar to them. "It is better to be safe than sorry."
