What is glucagon?

Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood glucose (sugar) levels. It is made by the pancreas. It can also be given as a shot or as a powder that's sprayed into the nose.

People with diabetes sometimes get very low glucose. If they are unconscious, they need glucagon right away. Glucagon raises the glucose quickly. A person also needs glucagon if they can't (or won't) safely drink or eat something that contains sugar.

If someone close to you has diabetes, you may need to give them the shot or spray during a low glucose emergency.

Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, a headache, and a runny nose.

Replace glucagon shots and nasal spray before they expire. And follow the directions for storage.

How to give a glucagon shot

A glucagon kit has a syringe that contains liquid. The kit also has a bottle that contains the medicine, which is a powder.

Follow the instructions in the kit to mix the powder and the liquid. Put this back into the syringe. Make sure you have the amount of glucagon that the person's doctor recommends.

Choose the injection site.

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slide 1 of 6, Choose the injection site.,

Choose a clean injection site on the buttock, upper arm, or thigh. If an alcohol swab is available, use it to clean the skin where you will give the injection.

Insert the needle.

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slide 2 of 6, Insert the needle.,

Keeping your fingers off the plunger, hold the syringe like a pencil close to the site. Then insert the needle.

Give the injection.

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slide 3 of 6, Give the injection.,

Push the plunger of the syringe all the way in so that the medicine goes into the tissue. Give the amount of glucagon that the person's doctor has recommended. Remove the needle from the skin slowly and at the same angle that you inserted it. Press the alcohol swab, if you used one, against the injection site.

Turn the head to the side.

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slide 4 of 6, Turn the head to the side.,

After giving the injection, turn the person's head to the side, to prevent choking if they vomit.

Call for emergency help.

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slide 5 of 6, Call for emergency help.,

After you give the glucagon shot, immediately call 911 or other emergency services. If emergency services have not arrived within 15 minutes and the person is still unconscious, give another glucagon shot.

Give quick-sugar food.

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slide 6 of 6, Give quick-sugar food.,

Give some glucose tablets or quick-sugar food such as hard candy or juice when the person is alert and able to swallow. Also give the person some long-acting source of carbohydrate such as crackers and cheese. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives.

Anytime a person who has diabetes gets glucagon, they should talk to a doctor to try to find out what caused the low glucose. Some causes include too much insulin, a missed meal, and insulin injected into a blood vessel. Other causes include an illness other than diabetes, liver damage, and kidney damage. Low glucose can also be caused by exercise or a new medicine.