Glucose Gel

Question 1

What is glucose gel?

Answer 1

Glucose gel (15 g tube) is a pure form of glucose that is absorbed quickly in the intestinal tract after ingestion.

Glucose is broken down in most tissues and distributed throughout total body water

Question 2

What is the onset, duration & half-life of glucose gel?

Answer 2

Onset 10 min
Duration variable
Half-life not applicable

Question 3

Indications for glucose gel?

Answer 3

1. Symptomatic hypoglycaemia (with the ability to self-administer oral glucose)

Question 4

Contraindications for glucose gel?

Answer 4

1. Unconscious
2. Patients with difficulty swallowing
3. Patients less than 2 yrs

Question 5

Side effects of glucose gel?

Answer 5

1. Nausea / vomiting
2. Diarrhoea

Question 6

What are the adult & paediatric doses for glucose gel?

Answer 6

15 g (one tube) PO 
Repeated once at 15 min if BGL equal to or less than 4.0 mmol/L