Expired Glucagon
Scott Benner
I think that we can all agree that the best Glucagon is the one that you never open. I understand how uplifting it is to toss a Glucagon kit into the trash, nothing feels better than knowing that it was never opened - but what if I told you that there was something better? Something easy and awesome that you can do with your expired Glucagon?
Practice. Practice. Practice.
My best advice for what to do with your expired kits, practice. Parents, siblings, friends and relatives will all benefit from being able to learn how to help in a severe low blood glucose situation. I know that we all hope and want to believe that we will never have to use Glucagon in an emergency situation, but just in case, the first time you hold one shouldn't be during a seizure.
This I know from experience.
Not long after Arden's diagnosis back in 2006 we tried to eat Chinese food for the first time since diabetes entered our lives and well, that didn't go very well. I injected too much insulin and about two hours later, Arden was having a seizure. We placed Arden on the floor, Cole called 911 and Kelly began to rub glucose gel into Arden's cheek while I was frozen and staring at the Glucagon. "I never thought I was going to need to know how to use it", I mumbled. Thankfully, the gel Kelly applied brought Arden out of the seizure but I'll never forget the sickening feeling of having the tools to help my daughter in my hands but not the knowledge of how to use them.
So practice with your expired Glucagon until it doesn't feel awkward. Then once everyone in your life is proficient -- donate them to your child's school nurse or a local school.
Glucagon is the only thing in the world that I buy hoping that I will waste, but you don't have to throw it away. School nurses, Glucagon proxies and other school personnel will be grateful for the opportunity to get comfortable with the process. Speak with your school nurse and ask if an expired Glucagon kit is something that they'd be interested in having and you'll feel twice the pleasure the next time a kit expires.