Ready, Set, Go This National Diabetes Awareness Month!
Ensure your diabetes toolkit is aligned to the standards of diabetes care for hypoglycemia
Each November, we celebrate National Diabetes Awareness Month. The month is all about raising awareness and promoting efforts to treat and manage it.
Let’s shine a light on managing diabetes, specifically when it comes to very low blood sugar. Recently, there have been changes to recommendations related to who is at risk, namely those taking insulin or sulfonylureas, and the need for those individuals to have glucagon on hand should they need it. 1,2
Unfortunately, when it comes to readiness and treatment, many people with diabetes are unaware of their risk for very low blood sugar and are left without a potentially life-saving ready-to-use glucagon option.
Because National Diabetes Awareness Month beams with empowerment, there is no time like the present to take charge of your diabetes care and ensure that your toolkit is aligned with the guidelines. This month, feel empowered to equip your toolkit with ready-to-use glucagon so that you can be prepared to treat very low blood sugar with confidence. Ready to join the movement? Let’s dive in!
Let’s talk lows
Ever had one of those moments when your blood sugar just dips without a heads-up? Low blood sugar can be sneaky. It can be common in people with diabetes, especially those taking insulin or sulfonylureas.1,2 Not to make things scary, but very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen unexpectedly and requires prompt treatment by eating sugar or a sugar sweetened product. There may be times when correcting with food and drink doesn’t work, when you may be unable to swallow safely, or when you feel like passing out. In cases like this, you don’t want to be caught without ready-to-use glucagon.
Introducing a must-have for your diabetes toolkit.
Gvoke HypoPen® is a ready-to-use glucagon rescue pen that you can count on to bring very low blood sugar back up quickly and safely.3* Anyone can administer in 2 simple steps.3,4 You and those around you should review the full Instructions for Use before an emergency happens. You can even self-administer in certain situations.5 Think of it as your safety net when it matters most, and face very low blood sugar with confidence.
Time for a Diabetes Toolkit Refresh
If you take insulin or sulfonylureas, your toolkit should include ready-to-use glucagon, you should carry it at all times, and know when and how to use it. This November, speak with your doctor about including Gvoke HypoPen® in your diabetes toolkit. Make sure your toolkit is aligned with the standard of care.
National Diabetes Awareness Month is an important time for those affected by diabetes. It’s time to reflect, take action, and advocate for better care.
* In two clinical studies in adults, blood sugar levels that were less than 50 mg/dL increased to above 70 mg/dL or increased by at least 20 mg/dL within 13.8 minutes on average.
References:
- McCall AL, Lieb DC, Gianchandani R, et al. Management of individuals with diabetes at high risk for hypoglycemia: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(3):529-562.doi:10.1210/clinem/dgac596
- ElSayed NA, Aleppo G, Aroda VR, et al. 4. Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023 [published correction appears in Diabetes Care. 2023 Jun 25;:]. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(Suppl 1):S49-S67. doi:10.2337/dc23-S004
- Gvoke [prescribing information]. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Valentine V, Newswanger B, Prestrelski S, Andre AD, Garibaldi M. Human factors usability and validation studies of a glucagon autoinjector in a simulated severe hypoglycemia rescue situation. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2019;21(9):522-530
- Gvoke HypoPen [instructions for use]. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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 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:
- 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.
BEFORE USING
Before using GVOKE, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have adrenal gland problems
- have a tumor in your pancreas
- have 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 pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
HOW TO USE
- Read the detailed Instructions for Use that come with GVOKE.
- Use GVOKE exactly how your healthcare provider tells you to use it
- Make 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 STORE
- Keep 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.com.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information for Gvoke