Giving a glucagon injection
Turn the head to the side: Step 1
Turn the person's head to the side, to prevent choking if he
or she vomits.
Choose the injection site: Step 2
Choose the site to give the
injection.
Pinch the skin: Step 3
Find a clean area of skin on the upper arm or thigh. Slightly
pinch a fold of skin between your fingers of one hand. Hold the syringe like a
pencil close to the site, keeping your fingers off the plunger.
Insert the needle: Step 4
Try to keep the syringe at a 90-degree angle to the injection
site. Thin adults and small children with little fat often need the needle to
be inserted at a 45-degree angle to prevent the medicine from being given into
muscle. Quickly push the needle all the way into the pinched-up area.
Give the injection: Step 5
Push the plunger to give the medicine. Give the amount of
glucagon that the person's doctor has recommended. After you give the glucagon
shot, immediately call 911
for emergency care. If emergency help has not arrived within 5 minutes and the
person is still unconscious, give another glucagon
shot.
Check the blood sugar level: Step 6
Wait 5 to 10 minutes after giving the injection before
checking the blood sugar. Remember, it can take 15 minutes or longer for the
blood sugar to increase after the injection. Use the lancet device to prick the
side of the finger. Test a small sample of blood to check the blood sugar
level. Repeat this step after 30 minutes to make sure the blood sugar stays in
your target blood sugar range.
Give quick-sugar food: Step 7
If the person becomes more alert, carefully give some
quick-sugar food or liquid. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives.
Last Updated:
July 22, 2009
Author:
Judy Dundas
Medical Review:
Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine & David C.W. Lau, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology & Metabolism
