Ready-To-Use Glucagon Emphasized in Latest Diabetes Guidelines

(BPT) - 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.^1,2 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.² 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.²

How to ensure your rescue plan aligns with the guidelines

Use the checklist below to make sure your diabetes toolkit is up to date.

1. Take a fresh look at your low blood sugar emergency plan. Does it include a ready-to-use glucagon option?
2. Learn about ready-to-use options like Gvoke HypoPen^® (glucagon injection), the ready-to-use rescue pen anyone can use³ with confidence.
3. Speak with your healthcare provider about your risk and if Gvoke HypoPen is right for you.
4. Get a prescription for ready-to-use glucagon and fill it right away.
5. Always keep it with you.
6. 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.

Learn more about Gvoke HypoPen.

INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY

GVOKE is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in adults and kids with diabetes ages 2 years and above. It is not known if GVOKE is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age.

WARNINGS

Do not use GVOKE if:

• you have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland), called a pheochromocytoma.
• you have a tumor in your pancreas called an insulinoma.
• you are allergic to glucagon or any inactive ingredient in GVOKE.

GVOKE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING:

High blood pressure. GVOKE can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands.

Low blood sugar. GVOKE can cause low blood sugar in certain people with tumors in their pancreas called insulinomas by making too much insulin in their bodies.

Serious allergic reaction. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction including:

• rash
• difficulty breathing
• low blood pressure

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

The most common side effects of GVOKE in adults include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• swelling at the injection site
• headache

The most common side effects of GVOKE in children include:

• nausea
• low blood sugar
• high blood sugar
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• headache
• pain or redness at the injection site
• itching

These are not all the possible side effects of GVOKE. For more information, ask your doctor.

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.