Insulin supplier Lilly has developed a nasal spray (intranasal glucagon) for the emergency treatment of extremely low blood sugar (e.g., coma, seizures). The product has been submitted to regulatory agencies and approval decisions in both the US and Europe are expected in 2019. The new glucagon powder is administered like a nasal spray, without any need for mixing or injections (as per current options to deliver glucagon delivery kits). Intranasal glucagon will be faster to administer, less prone to errors, and will reduce fear during hypo emergencies – leading to a faster recovery and reduced medical costs (according to a news item on DiaTribe). In a trial, Lilly’s nasal glucagon was successful with 96% of people who were treated with nasal glucagon by a caregiver recovered within 30 minutes of treatment. Lilly acquired the product from Locemia in 2015.
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