Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome RemediesOver-the-Counter TherapiesPrescription MedicationsWhen to Call 911Frequently Asked QuestionsNext in Hypoglycemia GuideWhat Is Hypoglycemia?
Table of ContentsView All
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Table of Contents
Home Remedies
Over-the-Counter Therapies
Prescription Medications
When to Call 911
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Hypoglycemia Guide
The treatment ofhypoglycemia(low blood sugar) depends on the severity of symptoms and the degree to which blood sugar levels have fallen.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Hypoglycemic emergencies, in which blood sugar levels cannot be restored even with appropriate treatment, require 911 medical assistance.
The American Diabetes Association defines hypoglycemia as a blood glucose level below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Mild hypoglycemia often can be treated with fast-acting carbs that are quickly absorbed in the gut and released into the bloodstream within five to 15 minutes. These are simple carbohydrates that don’t need to be broken down much during digestion.
If you have diabetes, ingest between 15 grams and 20 grams of fast-acting carbs if:
Pure glucose is the preferred treatment for hypoglycemia, but any form of carbohydrate that contains glucose will raise blood glucose.The glucose content of food is a better indication of quick response than carbohydrate content.
A good strategy is to follow the “15-15 Rule,” which means eating 15 grams of fast-acting carbs, waiting 15 minutes, checking your blood sugar, and then repeating this process until your blood sugar returns to at least 70 mg/dL.
Once your blood sugar has normalized, eat a small snack containing carbs and protein, such as an egg or peanut butter sandwich.
Even if you don’t have diabetes, you can treat hypoglycemia with fast-acting carbs. However, it is important to see a healthcare provider afterward, since frequent unexplained crashes may be an early sign ofprediabetes.
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If you develop hypoglycemia and are nowhere near food, or if you find keeping food down during the event is difficult, over-the-counter glucose tablets or gels offer a handy solution. Not only do these products have a long shelf life, they can be safely stored in an office desk, purse, or pocket.
Most glucose tablets are available in 4-gram (g) tablets. Typically, three or four tablets are necessary to return blood sugar to normal. Glucose gel formulations are packaged in single-serve 15-gram tubes.
Your healthcare provider may recommend glucose tablets or gels rather than fast-acting carbs if you have frequent hypoglycemic crashes. Glucose tablets or gels also may be preferred if you take certain types ofdiabetes medications.
If you take an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor like acarbose or Glyset (miglitol), use glucose tablets or gels instead of fast-acting carbs. Medications in this class of drugs inhibit the absorption of sucrose (table sugar) and similar simple sugars. These medications may slow the body’s ability to take up anything other than pure glucose.
If your hypoglycemia symptoms are severe and glucose tablets or fast-acting carbs don’t help, your healthcare provider may recommend prescription medications that spur the body to produce its own glucose—especially if your diabetes is poorly controlled.
Glucagon Injections
In December 2020, the FDA approved the first generic version of glucagon for injection. The product is packaged in an emergency kit and is indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes. It is less costly than brand name versions but is just as safe and effective.
If you are experiencing symptoms of severe hypoglycemia and can’t give yourself carbohydrates, you may be given a glucagon shot intramuscularly (into a large muscle), which should normalize your blood sugar levels within 10 to 15 minutes.
If you are fully conscious and able to self-administer carbohydrates, take 15 to 20 grams of glucose, then follow the 15-15 rule. If your symptoms still do not improve, follow the guidelines in “When to Call 911” below.
If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing hypoglycemia and are still conscious, try to correct your blood sugar level with food and/or glucose first. A glucagon pen is meant to be used in cases when hypoglycemia is not responsive to treatment or when a person has lost consciousness.
Side effects tend to be mild and may include headache, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and injection site pain.
Baqsimi (Glucagon Nasal Powder)
In July 2019, the FDA approved Baqsimi, an intranasal formulation of glucagon, for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. Baqsimi is dispensed into a nostril via a pre-filled nasal applicator. Each dose delivers 3 mg of glucagon in powder form.
Baqsimi is used under the same circumstances as injected glucagon and with similar effectiveness.
Side effects tend to be mild and include headache, nasal congestion, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, nausea, vomiting, and itchy nose, throat, or eyes.
If someone you know falls unconscious due to a hypoglycemic event, act quickly if you are unable to provide emergency treatment yourself (such as giving a shot).
Call 911immediately if the person is unresponsive or their blood sugar stays persistently and extremely low (below 50 mg/dL) and/or they have certain symptoms despite treatment:
Never try to give an unconscious person food or drink, since this can cause choking, vomiting, or asphyxiation.
In emergency situations, glucagon may be delivered intravenously (into a vein) to rapidly elevate blood sugar. Emergency medical personnel also commonly use intravenous dextrose, a form of sugar, until blood sugar levels are fully normalized. Once the individual is stabilized, oral glucose or sucrose is administered to help replenish glycogen stores.
A Word From Verywell
Prevention is the best strategy for keeping hypoglycemia at bay if you havediabetes. Proper diabetes management involves more than just monitoring your blood sugar. It demands you recognize the early symptoms of hypoglycemia, control your intake of carbs, and take your medications as prescribed to help keep your blood sugar within the optimal range.
If you don’t have diabetes, your healthcare provider will need to identify and treat the underlying cause of hypoglycemia. Until you are able to pinpoint the cause—whether it is diabetes-related or not—you may find yourself hard-pressed to prevent future episodes. Don’t ignore the symptoms; see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
These are foods that contain sugars that can quickly be released into your bloodstream in about five minutes in order to balance your blood sugar during a hypoglycemic attack.Foods containing glucose or sucrose are the most effective types of fast-acting carbs.
The injection should only be administered if a person’s blood sugar is severely low (less than 54 mg/dL) or they are having severe symptoms, including:SeizuresConfusion and disorientationInability to feed themselves or drink on their own
The injection should only be administered if a person’s blood sugar is severely low (less than 54 mg/dL) or they are having severe symptoms, including:
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15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.6. Glycemic targets:Standards of medical care in diabetes—2022.Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Supplement_1):S83-S96. doi:10.2337/dc22-S006
Evert AB.Treatment of mild hypoglycemia.Diabetes Spectr.2014;27(1):58-62. doi:10.2337/diaspect.27.1.58
American Diabetes Association.Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Eckert-Norton M, Kirk S.Non-diabetic hypoglycemia.J Clin Endocrinol Metab.2013;98(10):39A-40A. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-v98i10-39A
Novo Nordisk.GlucaGen (glucagon [rDNA origin] for injection).
Xeris Pharmaceuticals.Gvoke (glucagon) injection, for subcutaneous use.
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) injection.Prescribing Information.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first generic of drug used to treat severe hypoglycemia.
Food and Drug Administration.Information for the physician: glucagon for injection.
MedlinePlus.Glucagon injection.
Lilly USA.Baqsimi (glucagon) nasal powder.
Sua YJ, Liao CJ.Hypoglycemia in emergency department.J Acute Dis.2015;4(1):59-62. doi:10.1016/S2221-6189(14)60085-8
University of Michigan Health.Quick-sugar foods.
Eckert-Norton M, Kirk S.Non-diabetic hypoglycemia.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(10):39A-40A. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-v98i10-39A
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Hypoglycemia: Symptoms, Causes, Blood Sugar Treatment
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How Hypoglycemia Is Diagnosed
Discover How Hypoglycemia Is Properly Treated
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