Oral glucose gel

Oral glucose gel is an over-the-counter medication, consisting primarily of dextrose and water, along with small amounts of other compounds. It is frequently used by people with diabetes and those with hypoglycemia to raise their blood sugar when it becomes very low.

People with diabetes and other people with hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, run out of energy when their glucose levels drop too low. These reactions can lead to unconsciousness if not treated in a timely matter.

Reactions can occur suddenly, however glucose levels can be brought back to normal by eating or drinking carbohydrates. It is recommended by The American Diabetes Association (ADA) to carry something containing 15 grams of glucose at all times in order to treat these sometimes sudden reactions.

Use

Oral glucose gel is used to raise dangerously low blood glucose concentration or blood glucose that has dropped too low for the person's adaptive compensatory mechanisms to cope with. The gel may be self-administered or given by an EMT or Paramedic responding to a hypoglycemic emergency.

As glucose molecules will absorb directly through oral tissue it is either swallowed directly, or allowed to stay in the mouth momentarily to facilitate rapid absorption via various areas of the mouth cavity and then swallowed to allow absorption into the blood via the small intestine.

Product

Oral glucose gel usually is found in single-use tubes providing a dose of 15 grams of glucose, or resealable tubes with a total of 45 grams of glucose. It is usually fruit-flavored. Common brands include GlucoBurst Glucose Gel (manufactured by PBM Products) Insta-Glucose (manufactured by Valeant), Glutose (manufactured by Paddock Labs), and Level One Glucose Gel (manufactured by Level Life) as well as several store brands.