Are you living with type 2 diabetes? You might need emergency glucagon, too

(BPT) – Pale skin, shakiness and sweating are just a few symptoms you might associate with hypoglycemia, which is known to be common in people with type 1 diabetes. But type doesn’t matter: People with type 2 diabetes that use insulin or sulfonylureas are at just as much risk.Because there is a misconception that those living with type 2 diabetes are not prone to experience hypoglycemia, you may not have been provided all the facts about what it is, its symptoms, and how and when to treat it. It’s important to know that:1 in 5 people with type 2 diabetes experience one or more severe hypoglycemia events per year.Hypoglycemia happens when blood glucose level falls below 70mg/dL and/or you begin to feel a range of physical and neurological symptoms, such as dizziness, shakiness, confusion, combative behavior or trouble answering questions. Things can progress quickly to severe hypoglycemia, which is potentially life-threatening.Hypoglycemia requires immediate attention.Untreated hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness, seizure, coma, and death. You should work with your doctor to create a plan for managing it just in case it happens. Your plan should be equipped with things like glucose tabs, juice, and glucagon.If you take insulin or sulfonylureas, you should have ready-to-use glucagon in your diabetes toolkit for low blood sugar emergencies.Thought leaders in the diabetes space, the American Diabetes Association and the Endocrine Society acknowledge thatAnyone taking insulin or sulfonylureas is at high risk for hypoglycemiaAnyone taking insulin or sulfonylureas should have a prescription for ready-to-use glucagonYou need a safety net if you:tried correcting with food or drink and it’s not workingare unable or unwilling to eat or drinkfeel like passing outhave a seizureThe type of ready-to-use glucagon that you carry is important!Emergency glucagon is typically administered by a third party — who might not be trained in its use — in a moment that may be stressful and cause anxiety. An intuitive, simple-to-administer tool is ideal.Gvoke HypoPen® is ready-to-use rescue glucagon that can be used by anyone the moment it is needed, similar to rescue pens used for severe allergic reactions. It’s so simple to administer that in a study designed to simulate an emergency, 99 percent of people used it correctly. It can even be self-administered in certain situations.If you are living with type 2 diabetes and take insulin or sulfonylureas, talk to your healthcare provider about your risk and adding Gvoke HypoPen® to your hypoglycemia treatment plan.INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARYGVOKE 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.WARNINGSDo 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 other 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:rashdifficulty breathinglow blood pressureCOMMON SIDE EFFECTSThe most common side effects of GVOKE in adults include:nauseavomitingswelling at the injection siteheadacheThe most common side effects of GVOKE in children include:nausealow blood sugarhigh blood sugarvomitingabdominal painheadachepain or redness at the injection siteitchingThese 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.BEFORE USINGBefore using GVOKE, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:have adrenal gland problemshave a tumor in your pancreashave not had food or water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation)have low blood sugar that does not go away (chronic hypoglycemia)are pregnant or plan to become pregnantare breastfeeding or plan to breastfeedTell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.HOW TO USERead the detailed Instructions for Use that come with GVOKE.Use GVOKE exactly how your healthcare provider tells you to use itMake sure your relatives, close friends, and caregivers know where you store GVOKE and how to use it the right way before you need their help.Act quickly. Having very low blood sugar for a period of time may be harmful.Your healthcare provider will tell you how and when to use GVOKE.After giving GVOKE, your caregiver should call for emergency medical help right away.If you do not respond after 15 minutes, your caregiver may give you another dose, if available. Tell your healthcare provider each time you use GVOKE. Low blood sugar may happen again after receiving an injection of GVOKE. Your diabetes medicine may need to be changed.HOW TO STOREKeep GVOKE in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it.Store GVOKE at temperatures between 68°F and 77°F.Do not keep it in the refrigerator or let it freeze.Keep GVOKE and all medicines out of the reach of children.For more information, call 1-877-937-4737 or go to www.gvokeglucagon.comPlease see the Full Prescribing Information for Gvoke.· The type of ready-to-use glucagon that you carry is important! Emergency glucagon is typically administered by a third party — who might not be trained in its use — in a moment that may be stressful and cause anxiety. An intuitive, simple-to-administer tool is ideal.