Dental mythbuster 6: Storing Glucagon injection

Page last updated: 3 July 2023
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Our inspectors will consider this topic of drugs and equipment for a medical emergency when they review if the practice is safe, which relates to regulation 12 (safety of care and treatment).

Glucagon is a hormone which helps to raise blood glucose levels. A glucagon injection kit is used to treat episodes of severe hypoglycemia, where a patient is either unable to treat themselves or treatment by mouth has not been successful.

Severe hypoglycemia is defined as having low blood glucose levels that requires assistance from another person to treat. Classed as a diabetic emergency, it is a complication that can occur in people with diabetes that take insulin and certain anti-diabetic tablets.

The most commonly available form of Glucagon injection is the GlucaGen HypoKit 1 mg: (Glucagon Injection).


Mandatory requirements

  1. GlucaGen HypoKit should be stored at a temperature of 2–8°C (in a refrigerator), but it must not be frozen. If stored in the refrigerator the shelf life from the manufacturer should be followed.
  2. GlucaGen HypoKit can be stored outside the refrigerator at a temperature not exceeding 25°C for 18 months provided that the expiry date is not exceeded. It should be stored in the original package in order to protect from light. This is common practice as it needs to be easily accessible for emergency use. The provider must able to demonstrate either:
  • when the product was out of refrigerated storage, for example label the product with the date it was taken out of the fridge or a revised expiry date, or
  • how the product is safe for use, for example by referring to the purchase invoice showing that 18 months has not elapsed from delivery.