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A ready-to-use glucagon pen for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia has performed well in a study where it was compares to a conventional syringe-based glucagon kit. Severe hypoglycemia is when someone with type 1 diabetes has very low blood glucose levels that requires treatment from someone else. Severe hypoglycemia requires immediate treatment as it can become very dangerous in a short space of time. Currently, the glucagon kits available involve a process that includes mixing solution with a glucagon powder before the injection is given. This is simple enough to be carried out at home but there are a number of steps required. The new Dasiglucagon pen is ready-to-use in a similar way to a glucagon pen which simplifies its use. This can be very beneficial for people who are trying to act quickly in an emergency situation. The Dasiglucagon pen has been developed by Danish firm, Zealand Pharma. The trial looked to compare whether the Dasiglucagon pen functioned as well as the current glucagon kits. The researchers measured whether the pen acted quickly, how effective it was at raising blood sugar and whether the side effects were tolerable. The study involved inducing hypoglycemia in 58 study participants with type 1 diabetes by delivering insulin intravenously. In response to hypoglycemia, the glucagon treatments were delivered. The researchers monitored glucose levels following the glucagon treatments to see how quickly each treatment responded. The results showed that the Dasiglucagon pen acted similarly quickly as the syringe-based glucagon kit. The Dasiglucagon pen had a larger and longer-lasting effect of raising blood glucose levels. Side effects between the two treatments were similar with nausea being the most frequent side effect. The results of the study are positive and raise hopes that a simpler to use glucagon treatment may be available in the coming years. The study was published in the December issue of the Diabetes Care journal.
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