Home Use of Mini-Dose Glucagon As a Novel Treatment for Hypoglycemia Following Repeated, Prolonged Fasts in Type 1 Diabetes During Ramadan

Abstract

Objective: <br>We determined the efficacy of self-administered subcutaneous mini-dose glucagon (MDG) to treat fasting-induced hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes (T1D). <br>Research Design and Methods <br>4-week randomized, controlled crossover trial (2-week MDG or 2-week oral glucose tablets (OG, control)) involving 17 adults with T1D during Ramadan. <br>Results <br>As compared to OG, MDG demonstrated a significant higher change in blood glucose from baseline to 30 minutes (∆t30, P<0.001) and 1 hour (∆t60, P=0.02). The efficacy of MDG was preserved following ≥8 hours fasting with significantly higher ∆t30 in MDG (P=0.01). Over the entire two-week, MDG period had increased time in 70-180 mg/dL (P=0.009) and less time<70 mg/dL (P=0.04). MDG use resulted in higher completion of fasts as compared OG (P<0.001). <br>Conclusions <br>MDG administration is an effective alternative to OG for prevention and treatment of fasting-induced hypoglycemia, offering improved glycemic control and promoting successful completion of prolonged fasts.