• Guest, the forum is undergoing some upgrades and so the usual themes will be unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, you can use the forum like normal. We'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Glucagen Hypokit question

S

SophiaW

Well-Known Member
The instructions on the hypokit say to store it in the fridge. If I take the hypokit with me for a day out, incase of an emergency, is it then ruined and need replacing? If I take the hypokit with me and keep it in a frio pouch or something similar to keep it cool, will it be okay to go back into the fridge?

I asked my pharmacist this question and she said that the hypokit is the same as insulin, it has a 4 hour life once out the fridge. I believed insulin can remain out the fridge for a month so I don't have a lot of confidence in the information she's given me. She also asked "do sweets not work?" The hypokit is a vial of sterile water and a powder that needs to be mixed before injected. I thought the powder would have a fairly long storage life before deteriorating.

If you do a trip quite far away from home do you take a hypokit with you or do you hope that if you have a severe hypo the paramedics will be equiped to deal with it? I have heard stories of paramedics arriving without a hypokit in their supplies and would hate to be caught out like this.
 
hi sophie
i am type 2 but in your situation i would test the sweets (To see how many it would take you out the danger zone) At the least you would have them has backup.
Hope this helps JF.
 
Let me clarify. We always use glucose sweets to get out of a mild or moderate hypo, and it works well. But the Glucagen kit is used in an emergency if the diabetic person becomes unconscious due to a severe hypo. If the person is unconscious they cannot be given anything to eat or drink due to choking risk. I have been told that the glucogel too should not be used if the person is unconscious.
 
If its the same ?

Extract from:

http://www.novonordisk.com.au/Diabetes_Graphics/CMI/GluHcmi9.pdf

Storage
GlucaGen® HypoKit should be
stored at room temperature (i.e.
less than 25°C).
Avoid freezing to prevent
damage to the glass syringe.
HypoKit

The GlucaGen®
powder vial should be stored in
the original package to protect
from light.
The expiry date (“Expiry”) is
printed on the pack. If your
medicine has passed this date,
do not use it. Check the expiry
date from time to time to make
sure that the glucagon in your
GlucaGen® HypoKit has not
expired, in case of an
emergency.
Inject the glucagon solution
immediately after it is
prepared. Use once only and
discard any residue. Do not
store it for later use.
Keep out of the reach of
 
Thanks bowell. I took another look at the kit and noticed that the label says store in the fridge but can be stored out the fridge below 25 C for 18 months provided it's used before it's expiry date. So that answers my question, thanks. I never noticed the out of fridge storage instruction, only noticed the store in fridge instructions.
 
we never take ours unless its a stay over somewhere, in 4 years we have never used it once im sure there are times when we should of and have used the gel instead tho. i always have the gel in the car and in my handbag along with glucotabs, and our glucogon is kept in the fridge :D

anna marie
 
Hi, I've only moved over to England recently and had to dispose of my old GlucaGen kit as it was past its due date. How do I get a hypo kit in England? Is it covered by the NHS or do I have to buy it myself? Where do I go to get one?

Not needed it in the 8 years since I've been diagnosed, but better safe than sorry. I never knew it could be stored outside of the fridge, would be great to have one at work in case something happens. My boss has been asking about it as well.
 
If you have an out of date Glucagen kit, then please offer it to a mountain rescue team, for training purposes - they can practice mixing the dose, but not administer it to anyone.
 
good idea Copepod, but I also think it's worth getting the person who is likely to have to use it practising in a non panic situation. (obviously not injecting). That's what we did with my out of date kit.
 
Both good ideas copepod and phoenix. This thread has reminded me to check the date on my Glucagen kit, just forget when I got this one but seems a long time ago and the date isn't up till August so will get a repeat in before this time. Last weeks episode of Emergency Bikers proved how worthwhile it is to keep one to hand for emergencies which may be out of your control.

Nigel
 
Only worth having a Glucagon kit if there is someone around able & willing to administer, as it's only for use when person with diabetes is unconscious.
 
Not official advice obviously...but I know form my own (horrible!) experience...that an out of date kit still works...I think my hubby, in a ft of desperation, jabbed me witha kit that was at least 18 months out of date....and it worked.

Obviously, far better to re stock, but if you are desperate...use it anyway.
 
Back
Top