September 5, 2002
Hypoglycemia, Other Medications
Question from Garden City, Michigan, USA:
My 11 year old daughter was diagnosed earlier this month with type�1 diabetes. I’m getting all her things in order for her return to school, and the school requires they have Glucagon on hand for her in case of emergency. In the instructions in the Glucagon Kit, it says that she should get the full amount (1 cc), but in the book the hospital gave us, it says a child under the age of 18 should only get half that amount (0.5 cc). Which is the correct dose? Can a larger dose hurt her?
Answer:
It will not hurt her to get the full vial. Remember, the situation where the Glucagon Emergency Kit might be required would be a significant low glucose such that your child were unconscious and unable to receive anything by mouth or if there were a seizure/convulsion.
Assuming your daughter is of average weight for her age, 0.5 cc would likely be adequate, but in the excitement of the moment, it would be fine to give the full 1 cc. Many people will vomit after getting glucagon, and the full 1 cc dose may increase the likelihood of vomiting.
DS
