Mini-Dose Glucagon for Mild and Moderate Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Tight glycemic control reduces the development and progression of microvascular and macrovascular complications in individuals with type 1 diabetes. However, it is also associated with an increased risk of hypoglycemia, which can deter some individuals from striving to achieve tight glycemic control. For this and other reasons, it is important to optimize the treatment of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes. The conventional approach to the management of mild to moderate hypoglycemia is oral carbohydrate ingestion, which can result in significant rebound hyperglycemia and the consumption of excess calories with resulting unwanted weight gain. Studies of the use of subcutaneous mini-dose glucagon for the prevention and treatment of mild to moderate hypoglycemia in a variety of settings have demonstrated that this approach is safe and effective and is less likely to result in significant hyperglycemia and the ingestion of unwanted oral carbohydrate calories.