Use of Glucagon in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

IN BRIEF Glucagon is an invaluable tool for patients with type 1 diabetes who experience severe hypoglycemia, but little is known about the actual use of rescue glucagon in this patient population. This survey study found that patients with type 1 diabetes were not adequately prescribed glucagon or educated about the use of glucagon, and patients reported various administration issues in using it. These results strongly suggest the need for standards of practice to increase the prescribing of glucagon and the provision of initial and ongoing education about its use and administration and the development of a glucagon rescue device or a glucagon product that would eliminate the complexity of its current formulation and packaging.