If you or someone you care for is living with diabetes, you know it’s important to stay up to date on the latest diabetes management guidelines.
These updates for healthcare professionals from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Endocrine Society highlight some key changes about who is at risk for low blood sugar, and what you should do if you are at increased risk.
What are the updates?
The ADA and Endocrine Society now say that you should have a prescription for ready-to-use glucagon if you are at risk of developing low blood sugar. You’re considered at risk if you take medications like insulin, sulfonylureas or meglitinides.
If that’s you – or someone you care for – talk to your doctor today about your risk factors. Very low blood sugar is common, costly and life-threatening. That’s why the new guidelines recommend that those at high risk of low blood sugar have access to ready-to-use glucagon.
Glucagon is a hormone that helps raise blood sugar levels, and ready-to-use options provide ease of administration during a low blood sugar emergency. Even though the guidelines have been updated, many people living with diabetes, who should have ready-to-use glucagon, don’t have it. The guidelines acknowledge that glucagon prescriptions are low, and that more needs to be done to protect those at risk.
Use the checklist below to make sure your diabetes toolkit is up to date.
- Take a fresh look at your low blood sugar emergency plan. Does it include a ready-to-use glucagon option?
- Learn about ready-to-use options with confidence.
- Speak with your healthcare provider about your risk and if Gvoke HypoPen is right for you.
- Get a prescription for ready-to-use glucagon and fill it right away.
- Always keep it with you.
- Educate friends, family, and coworkers about the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar and what they can do to support you should you experience a low blood sugar emergency in their presence. That includes where to find your rescue tool, when to use it, and how to use it.
Staying on top of evolving diabetes care guidelines is important. With the right plan in place, you can face very low blood sugar with confidence.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
References:
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 6. Glycemic Goals and Hypoglycemia: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S111-S125. doi:10.2337/dc24-S006.
- McCall AL, Lieb DC, Gianchandani R, et al. Management of individuals with diabetes at high risk for hypoglycemia: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(3):529-562.doi:10.1210/clinem/dgac596.
- Valentine V, Newswanger B, Prestrelski S, Andre AD, Garibaldi M. Human factors usability and validation studies of a glucagon autoinjector in a simulated severe hypoglycemia rescue situation. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2019;21(9):522-530.
By: Brandpoint (Edited by d-mars.com)
