Treatment for Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)

Patients experience hypoglycemia with diabetes drug treatment. Therapy for treatment of mild to moderate hypoglycemic episodes is ingesting 15 to 20 grams of a fast acting carbohydrate. Commercially pre-measured products are available. There are other means of achieving these same results. This condition is usually rectified in 15 to 20 minutes. If after 15 minutes glucose levels remain less than 70, an additional 15 Gm of fast acting carbohydrate should be consumed.

After blood sugar is in normal range a meal should be eaten

For patients that experience hypoglycemic symptoms with high glucose levels that drop quickly, treat with half this amount of carbohydrate.

Foods that are fast acting 15 grams carbohydrate:

Fruit juice (apple, orange) 4 oz. (1/2 cup), 3 graham crackers, 1 tablespoon honey, 5-6 Lifesaver candies, 1 cup milk, 2 tablespoonsful raisins, 4-5 saltines, 4 oz. (1/2 cup) of regular (non-diet) soft drink.

Patients with severe symptoms are often unconscious or confused and with the help of a caregiver should be treated with a glucagon kit.