Low blood sugar events can be unpredictable. Gvoke can help.1

What is very low blood sugar?2

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood sugar gets below 70 mg/dL. When this happens, you can consume sugary foods or drinks to bring your blood sugar back up.

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood sugar gets below 70 mg/dL.

Very low blood sugar, or severe hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood sugar gets so low that you need help to bring it back up. Sometimes people with very low blood sugar may have a hard time thinking straight or controlling their body, get very tired, refuse to eat, pass out, or even have a seizure. It is an emergency situation that needs to be treated immediately.

Very low blood sugar can be treated with glucagon.

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, occurs when your blood sugar gets below 70 mg/dL.
Who is at risk for very low blood sugar?2-5

I think I might pass out.

There are many reasons that people may be at risk for very low blood sugar. You may be at a higher risk if any of the following apply to you:

  • You take insulin or sulfonylurea to help you manage your diabetes
  • You exercise at an intense level
  • You tend to skip meals
  • You have an inconsistent schedule
  • You're often stressed
  • You have tight blood sugar goals
  • You tend to have insulin pump problems
  • You're more sensitive to insulin
  • You've had very low blood sugar in the past
  • You have a hard time recognizing signs that your blood sugar is low
  • You've had diabetes for a long time
  • You have trouble taking your medicine
What is glucagon?2,3,6,7

Glucagon is a natural hormone that exists in the body. The body uses it to bring up your blood sugar when it gets low. It is important to remember that glucagon is NOT glucose, which is the sugar your body uses for energy.

Pancreas transmitting glucagon to the liver, which produces glucose.

Glucagon is also a medicine that increases the amount of glucagon in your body to bring up your blood sugar when you're experiencing very low blood sugar.

Pancreas transmitting glucagon to the liver, which produces glucose.

Before Gvoke, people needed to go through a lot of steps to get glucagon treatments ready to be used. This made emergency situations even more challenging and stressful.

Guidelines for using glucagon1

The ADA Standards of Care recommends that glucagon be prescribed for everyone who has an increased risk for very low blood sugar, so it’s available should it be needed.

Watch this informative video – Dr. Jennifer Goldman, an adult endocrinologist, explains when and how to use glucagon and shares some important facts about using Gvoke as a treatment option.

References: 1. American Diabetes Association. Glycemic targets: Standards of medical care in diabetes—2021. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(suppl 1):S73-S84. 2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hypoglycemia. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/-/media/Files/Diabetes/hypoglycemia_508.pdf. Published July 2021. Accessed October 7, 2021. 3. Kedia N. Treatment of severe diabetic hypoglycemia with glucagon: an underutilized therapeutic approach. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2011;4:337-346. 4. Geller AI, Shehab N, Lovegrove MC, et al. National estimates of insulin-related hypoglycemia and errors leading to emergency department visits and hospitalizations. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(5):678-686. 5. American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia. Accessed September 15, 2021. 6. Gvoke [prescribing information]. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc; 2021. 7. GlucaGen®HypoKit® [instructions for use]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk, Inc.