Manual of Clinical Nutrition

Hypoglycemia

Manual of Clinical Nutrition Management III- 73 Copyright © 2013 Compass Group, Inc.

Glucagon injections are used to treat severe hypoglycemia. The primary effect of glucagon is to increase
blood glucose levels by accelerating hepatic glycogenolysis and stimulating hepatic gluconeogenesis (2). The
most common adverse effect of glucagon is nausea or vomiting (2).

Educate the patient regarding fast-acting carbohydrate foods that should be consumed or avoided
depending upon the patient’s blood glucose level. Refer to “Treatment of Hypoglycemia” in Section IC:
“Medical Nutrition Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus”.

References

1. Reactive hypoglycemia. In: Nutrition Care Manual. Chicago, Ill: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Updated annually. Available at:
   nutritioncaremanual.org. Accessed January 16, 2008.


2. Stuart N, ed. Medications and diabetes: new helps and old friends. On The Cutting Edge [Diabetes Care and Education newsletter]. 2006;
   27:1-32.

Bibliography
International Diabetes Center. Reactive and Fasting Hypoglycemia. Minneapolis, Minn: International Diabetes Center, Park Nicollet
Institute; 2004.