Glucagon:
It is a hormone secreted by the alpha cells in the pancreas, its function is opposite to insulin, as it works to raise blood glucose by breaking down the stored sugars in the liver.
Types of Glucagon:
- Mix (Saline-filled Syringe mixed with powdered solution, ready for injection).
- Liquid only.
Other Glucagon injection syringe names:
Emergency Glucagon kit, or Hypoglycemia injection kit.
Its Uses:
It is used to treat acute hypoglycemic episodes, where the patient is unable to self-medicate, or if the glucose has not risen after following the 15-15-15 rule, and when the following symptoms appear:
- Fainting.
- Convulsions.
- Inability to eat any food containing sugar.
- If eating sugar does not help raise blood glucose.
Glucagon Injection Sites:
Injections are given at the same sites as the usual insulin injections:
- The upper and outer part of the arms.
- The front and outside of the thighs.
- Abdominal area away from the Umbilicus.
- The upper part of the two backsides.
Glucagon kit Ingredients:
- A Syringe with clear liquid inside.
- Box containing powder.
Proper use of glucagon injections:
Before Injection:
- Put the patient in a recovery position to help him breathe.
- Call the emergency services in case of non-response and recovery after injection syringe.
- Not to leave the patient alone.
- Do not attempt to insert anything into the patient's mouth if they are unconscious or have a seizure.
How to use the injection syringe:
The amount of liquid for injection is drawn into a frame (insulin syringe) (100 units/ 1ml).
- Mix the liquid and powder well until the solution is homogeneous.
- The solution is drawn into an insulin frame (syringe) and injected under the skin in the same way as the insulin syringe at the same injection sites.
- Glucagon dose is for people over (10) years (1 mg), while for children under five, the dose is (1/2).
- If the patient wakes up after fainting, he should be given food and continue with the usual diet.
After Injection:
- Return the syringe to the bag for disposal and avoid re-covering the syringe with its lid.
- Keep the patient stretched to his/her side to avoid choking as glucagon may cause vomiting.
- If the patient begins to recover and can eat, then he should drink a liquid containing fast-absorbing sugar (e.g., fruit syrup), as well as food containing slow-absorbing carbohydrates (e.g., bread).
Glucagon Dosing:
Adults and children weighing more than 25 kg are injected with all the contents of the syringe, while children weighing less than 25 kg are injected with only half the amount.
How to store Glucagon injection kit:
They can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight, as well as extreme heat and cold.
General Guidelines:
- Teach the whole family to use the glucagon syringe.
- Be sure to read the instructions.
- Ensure that the liquid inside the syringe is clear and transparent (before mixing with powder).
- Check the end date of the syringe components every month.
- Re-check the end date before using it.
- If the syringe components expired when the patient's diabetes has Low blood glucose levels, emergency contact should be made immediately.
- If the patient does not recover within 15 minutes, give them an extra dose of glucagon and call emergency services.
- There is no fear of harm from the increasing glucagon dose in the body.