Note: this article is provided by Ohio Northern University Healthwise Pharmacy.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first ever non-injection medication to treat severe low blood sugar.
The medication is called Baqsimi. It's made of glucagon in the form of a nasal powder, and the FDA approved it to be used as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia.
Severe hypoglycemia is severe low blood sugar. Those with severe low blood sugar may experience confusion or seizures. They can even become unconscious.
Because insulin can lower blood sugar, this condition can occur in those with diabetes and those who are being treated with insulin.
Baqsimi is approved for use in those with diabetes and those who are 4 years old and older.
Until now, those who experienced severe hypoglycemic episodes had to be treated with a glucagon injection. With this recent approval, there is now a nasal powder option that allows for simpler administration of this drug.
This nasal powder works to increase sugar levels by making the liver release stored glucose into the blood.
Baqsimi may not be safe for everyone. Those with a known allergy to glucagon, those with a tumor of the pancreas and those with a rare tumor of the adrenal gland tissue are not to use this medication.
Common side effects of Baqsimi may include nausea and vomiting, headache, congestion, watery eyes, and eye itching and redness.
The FDA approved this medication for Eli Lilly and Company.
Speak with your health care provider if you have any questions.
