Glucagon pen and more: Robin Arzon’s secret to being ready with diabetes
From blood glucose monitoring and insulin injections to emotional and physical side effects, living with diabetes comes with daily challenges. But creating a plan for managing the disease can make the day-to-day a little easier. For Robin Arzon, who has type 1 diabetes, that means taking charge and being ready no matter what the day brings.
As Peloton’s VP of fitness programming, Arzon, like many people with diabetes, leads a busy life and can’t afford to be caught unprepared for a low blood sugar episode or severe hypoglycemia, a very low blood sugar level that can be a daily concern for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their caregivers. But the truth is that anyone taking insulin or sulfonylureas is at risk.
Be ready with a glucagon pen
Living with diabetes isn’t easy – even if you are as prepared as possible. The good news is that there are tools and resources that can make it less stressful. One tool Arzon relies on is her superhero toolkit. On her at all times, hers includes everyday essentials like keys and smartphone, rescue carbs like glucose tablets, and a glucagon injection called
Gvoke HypoPen®; (glucagon injection) for severe low blood sugar.
Carrying Gvoke HypoPen® is just one way that people living with diabetes can feel ready to tackle whatever lies ahead of them – whether that’s a long day at work, an athletic endeavor or a social event with friends. The first glucagon autoinjector created for adults and kids with diabetes ages 2 and above, the glucagon pen is:
- Premixed and ready to go, with no visible needle
- Administered in two simple steps
- Available in a two-pack so you can keep one autoinjector on-hand and store the other
Tips for taking control
Being prepared goes beyond a superhero toolkit. Arzon recommends taking control of things like diet, movement and exercise, rest and self-care:
- Find a workout that works for you, whether that’s yoga, walking or cycling
- Stay on top of your daily carb intake and ensure you’re eating a balanced diet
- Prioritize self-care – Get a good night’s sleep, meditate and ask for help when you need it
- Keep up with monitoring and doctor’s appointments
- Be aware of your body – Note how it reacts to certain foods and activities
If you’re just coming to terms with a diabetes diagnosis, start small. Choose one or two ways to modify your daily lifestyle, and once those things become habit, move on to something else. With the right plan, tools and support, you can take charge, be ready and BE EPIC.
Are you ready? Talk to your doctor to 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.
BEFORE USING
Before using GVOKE, tell your healthcare provider 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. It is not known if GVOKE passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you can use GVOKE while breastfeeding.
Tell your healthcare provider 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 pre-filled syringe and HypoPen in sealed foil pouch until time of use.
- Keep GVOKE kit vial and pouched syringe together in original carton until time of use.
- 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