Clinical Topic

Publication Date

October 4, 2021

File Downloads

Download PDF (English)
Download PDF (Spanish)

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINI DOSE GLUCAGON:

 

 

 

 

 

  Why do I need to use it?

 ·   During illness, sick children may be unable to keep down food.

·   In patients on insulin therapy, the lack of food intake and the insulin “onboard” can make blood sugars drop quickly.

·   Low doses of glucagon can be used to raise blood sugars before they become dangerously low.

·   Glucagon raises the blood sugar by triggering the release of glycogen from the liver and muscles.

·   This can only be done with the intramuscular version of glucagon (Baqsimi® or nasal glucagon won’t work for this).

 

 

   When do I need to use it?

 ·   When blood sugar levels are < 70 mg/dL and your child is awake but not able to eat or refuses to eat.

·   You are trying to stop your child’s low blood sugar from getting worse, and to avoid a trip to the emergency room.
Do NOT use mini-dose Glucagon if:
1.  Your child is unconscious or seizing (instead, use the full prescribed dose)
2.  Your child has moderate to large ketonesInstead, give the Glucagon dose prescribed by your healthcare provider and call 911.

 

 

 

   How to prepare it?

 ·   The 1-mg glucagon emergency kit comes with a bottle containing a tablet and a syringe containing diluting liquid. Inject the syringe containing the liquid into the bottle with the tablet.

·   Push ALL of the contents of the syringe into the bottle, and then gently swirl it to form a clear liquid.

·   After mixing, store the mixed glucagon in the refrigerator. It can be reused for up to 24 hours from mixing or reconstituting it.

 

 

 

 How to dose / administer it?

 ·  Give the dose of Glucagon using your insulin syringe:

 

·  If your child is 2 years old or younger, give two units on the syringe.

·  Give one additional unit for each year of age for children over age 2.

·  For example: At age 2, give two units; at age 3, give three units; at age 4, give four units; and so on, up to age 15.

·  Children ages 15 or older should receive no more than 15 units.
THROW AWAY ANY UNUSED MIXED GLUCAGON AFTER 24 HOURS.

 

 

 

 

   What to expect?

 ·   You can expect the blood sugar to rise by about 60 to 90 mg/dl and for that to last about one hour.

·   If the blood glucose does not rise enough within 20 to 30 minutes, give a second dose of Glucagon, this time doubling the dose.

·   If, after two doses, the blood sugar does not improve and your child can’t keep anything down, Your child will need to be seen in the Emergency Room.