Carbohydrate / hypoglycaemia treatment
Glucose
Brand names: GlucoGel, Lift glucose
Adult dose
Dose: Conscious adult hypoglycaemia: 15–20g oral glucose (e.g. 4–7 GlucoGel tubes/tabs); repeat every 15 min until BG >4. Unconscious: 10% glucose IV 100mL stat (or 20% glucose 50mL); continue infusion
Route: PO/IV
Frequency: PRN
Clinical pearls
- JBDS hypoglycaemia algorithm: if NBM/IV access — 10% glucose 100mL stat. 50% glucose has fallen out of favour due to phlebitis
- Recheck CBG at 15 min; if still <4 repeat; once recovered, give long-acting carbohydrate
Contraindications
- Severe hyperglycaemia
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (until appropriate)
Side effects
- Hyperglycaemia
- Local phlebitis (concentrated IV)
- Fluid overload
Monitoring
- CBG
- Conscious level
Reference: BNF; JBDS hypoglycaemia guideline; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/glucose/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- DOAC Score for Selecting Direct Oral Anticoagulant in Non-Valvular AF · Anticoagulation
- HbA1c Converter · Diabetes
- Glucose Infusion Rate (GIR) Calculator · Glucose Management
- Weight-Based Levothyroxine Dose Calculator · Thyroid
- C-Peptide to Glucose Ratio · Diabetes Classification
- Hypoglycaemia Severity Classification · Diabetes Management
Pathways
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
- Syncope Assessment · ESC 2018 Syncope Guidelines; NICE NG109
- Acute Chest Pain · NICE CG95; ESC 2023 ACS Guidelines