How to Give a Glucagon Shot
Follow directions on the Glucagon kit., Make sure the medicine is not spoiled., Check the expiration date of the Glucagon., Wash your hands if possible., Remove the cap of the syringe., Insert the syringe needle into the rubber top of the vial...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Follow directions on the Glucagon kit.
Your first step before administering Glucagon is to read directions on the kit.
You’ll gather basic information like the amount of medicine you will inject and basic directions about how to inject Glucagon.
When reading the directions on the kit, take time to familiarize yourself with the contents of the kit.
It should include a needle, a syringe filled with liquid, and a vial full of powdered Glucagon. -
Step 2: Make sure the medicine is not spoiled.
If stored incorrectly (extreme heat or cold), Glucagon could turn into a gel or become clumpy.
If you notice Glucagon powder is watery or the liquid in the syringe is cloudy, gelled, or has an inconsistent appearance, do not use it., After reading the directions, quickly check the expiration date of the Glucagon.
It should be typed and located toward the bottom of the prescription information.
If the Glucagon is expired, you should not use it., Before handling the syringe, needle, or vial, make sure you carefully wash your hands.
In addition, if you happen to walk away and do something else, you’ll have to wash your hands again.
In an emergency situation, you many not be able to wash your hands; however, try to do so if it's possible. , Carefully remove the cap from the syringe.
Place it to the side and be careful not to prick yourself or to squirt out any of the liquid from the syringe., Firmly push the needle through the rubber stopper as far as it can go.
The needle should be submerged and should be near the bottom of the vial.
It may help to place the vial on a table and hold it steady as you insert the needle into the rubber stopper., By pushing the plunger down, you’ll inject the liquid from the syringe into the vial.
Make sure to inject all of it.
As you inject it, the liquid will mix with the powder in the vial., Avoid being too rough with the needle and vial.
Make sure, however, to thoroughly mix the powder and the liquid.
If you don’t, the medicine may not be as effective as it needs to be.
You may want to hold the vial and syringe in one hand with the vial on top and gently shake it back-and-forth., By doing this, you’ll draw the Glucagon out of the vial into the syringe.
Make sure the vial is on the top of the syringe and that you get the proper amount of medication out of the vial into the syringe.
Double check the amount of Glucagon the person has been prescribed.
This is important, as giving them too much could cause their blood sugar to rise too high., Decide on an injection site.
The most common sites are the thighs and buttocks.
The specific location depends on what is easier to access and on the preference of the patient.
Once you’ve chosen a site, use an alcohol swab to clean it.
If you don’t have an alcohol swab, you can proceed without it., Push the plunger (with your thumb) all the way down.
Do this quickly and without pause and make sure all the medication is injected steadily.
Make sure the needle and syringe is positioned at a 90-degree angle., After you’ve injected the Glucagon, pull straight up and withdraw the needle from the skin in a smooth fashion., If the person is unable to move, you should turn them on their side.
This is important, as the person could vomit after receiving the injection.
This will prevent them from choking on their vomit., After attending to the person, you should immediately call emergency services.
This is important, as the medicine is just a measure intended to stabilize their blood sugar.
The likelihood is that the person will need further medical treatment.
Let emergency services know the result of the blood sugar test.
In addition, let them know what the person ate or drank after taking the Glucagon., Using a blood sugar tester, prick their finger, and find out their blood sugar level.
By checking their blood sugar, you’ll get an idea of whether the medicine had its desired effect.
Their blood sugar should move up to 70 mg/dl or higher.
The person should be conscious after 15 minutes.
If they are not, provide another glucagon injection if one is available., Instruct the person to drink a fast metabolizing sugary drink as quickly as they can.
Such drinks include soda, fruit juice, or something similar.
This will further help raise and stabilize their blood sugar.If the person has fainted, wait for them to wake up.
This could take 5 to 10 minutes.
Only give a drink to someone who is alert enough to swallow; otherwise, they could choke. , In addition to drinking a sugary drink, the person should eat a long-acting source of sugar, too.
Such foods may include carb rich foods like crackers, cheese, or a meaty sandwich.
This will further help stabilize their blood sugar level.
The person should avoid sources of sugar that the body will metabolize and run through quickly, like candy bars.Make sure that the person is alert enough to eat. , If the person is still unconscious and paramedics have not arrived within 5 to 10 minutes, you should give them another shot of glucagon.
This is because the first injection may not have done enough to raise the person's blood sugar level.
If you remain on the phone with emergency services, inform them before giving another injection of Glucagon. -
Step 3: Check the expiration date of the Glucagon.
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Step 4: Wash your hands if possible.
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Step 5: Remove the cap of the syringe.
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Step 6: Insert the syringe needle into the rubber top of the vial.
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Step 7: Push the syringe plunger all the way down.
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Step 8: Keep the needle in the vial and lightly shake it.
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Step 9: Pull the syringe plunger back.
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Step 10: Choose and clean the injection site.
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Step 11: Insert the syringe needle into the injection site.
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Step 12: Pull the needle and syringe out of the skin.
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Step 13: Turn the person onto their side.
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Step 14: Call emergency services.
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Step 15: Check the person’s blood sugar when they're conscious.
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Step 16: Provide the person with a sugary drink if they are alert.
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Step 17: Give the person sugary food.
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Step 18: Provide another injection if necessary.
Detailed Guide
Your first step before administering Glucagon is to read directions on the kit.
You’ll gather basic information like the amount of medicine you will inject and basic directions about how to inject Glucagon.
When reading the directions on the kit, take time to familiarize yourself with the contents of the kit.
It should include a needle, a syringe filled with liquid, and a vial full of powdered Glucagon.
If stored incorrectly (extreme heat or cold), Glucagon could turn into a gel or become clumpy.
If you notice Glucagon powder is watery or the liquid in the syringe is cloudy, gelled, or has an inconsistent appearance, do not use it., After reading the directions, quickly check the expiration date of the Glucagon.
It should be typed and located toward the bottom of the prescription information.
If the Glucagon is expired, you should not use it., Before handling the syringe, needle, or vial, make sure you carefully wash your hands.
In addition, if you happen to walk away and do something else, you’ll have to wash your hands again.
In an emergency situation, you many not be able to wash your hands; however, try to do so if it's possible. , Carefully remove the cap from the syringe.
Place it to the side and be careful not to prick yourself or to squirt out any of the liquid from the syringe., Firmly push the needle through the rubber stopper as far as it can go.
The needle should be submerged and should be near the bottom of the vial.
It may help to place the vial on a table and hold it steady as you insert the needle into the rubber stopper., By pushing the plunger down, you’ll inject the liquid from the syringe into the vial.
Make sure to inject all of it.
As you inject it, the liquid will mix with the powder in the vial., Avoid being too rough with the needle and vial.
Make sure, however, to thoroughly mix the powder and the liquid.
If you don’t, the medicine may not be as effective as it needs to be.
You may want to hold the vial and syringe in one hand with the vial on top and gently shake it back-and-forth., By doing this, you’ll draw the Glucagon out of the vial into the syringe.
Make sure the vial is on the top of the syringe and that you get the proper amount of medication out of the vial into the syringe.
Double check the amount of Glucagon the person has been prescribed.
This is important, as giving them too much could cause their blood sugar to rise too high., Decide on an injection site.
The most common sites are the thighs and buttocks.
The specific location depends on what is easier to access and on the preference of the patient.
Once you’ve chosen a site, use an alcohol swab to clean it.
If you don’t have an alcohol swab, you can proceed without it., Push the plunger (with your thumb) all the way down.
Do this quickly and without pause and make sure all the medication is injected steadily.
Make sure the needle and syringe is positioned at a 90-degree angle., After you’ve injected the Glucagon, pull straight up and withdraw the needle from the skin in a smooth fashion., If the person is unable to move, you should turn them on their side.
This is important, as the person could vomit after receiving the injection.
This will prevent them from choking on their vomit., After attending to the person, you should immediately call emergency services.
This is important, as the medicine is just a measure intended to stabilize their blood sugar.
The likelihood is that the person will need further medical treatment.
Let emergency services know the result of the blood sugar test.
In addition, let them know what the person ate or drank after taking the Glucagon., Using a blood sugar tester, prick their finger, and find out their blood sugar level.
By checking their blood sugar, you’ll get an idea of whether the medicine had its desired effect.
Their blood sugar should move up to 70 mg/dl or higher.
The person should be conscious after 15 minutes.
If they are not, provide another glucagon injection if one is available., Instruct the person to drink a fast metabolizing sugary drink as quickly as they can.
Such drinks include soda, fruit juice, or something similar.
This will further help raise and stabilize their blood sugar.If the person has fainted, wait for them to wake up.
This could take 5 to 10 minutes.
Only give a drink to someone who is alert enough to swallow; otherwise, they could choke. , In addition to drinking a sugary drink, the person should eat a long-acting source of sugar, too.
Such foods may include carb rich foods like crackers, cheese, or a meaty sandwich.
This will further help stabilize their blood sugar level.
The person should avoid sources of sugar that the body will metabolize and run through quickly, like candy bars.Make sure that the person is alert enough to eat. , If the person is still unconscious and paramedics have not arrived within 5 to 10 minutes, you should give them another shot of glucagon.
This is because the first injection may not have done enough to raise the person's blood sugar level.
If you remain on the phone with emergency services, inform them before giving another injection of Glucagon.
About the Author
Alexander Patel
Writer and educator with a focus on practical DIY projects knowledge.
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