SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) When on the go, it’s natural to prepare ahead – whether it’s packing a bottle of water in your gym bag or bringing a first aid kit on a camping trip. For people with diabetes, there’s even more preparation to consider, including medicines, supplies, snacks, and what to do in an emergency.
Yet, with stay-at-home orders continuing to impact parts of the U.S. due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, planning looks a little different. Now, one woman is urging people with diabetes to prioritize emergency preparedness – even at home.
“Living with diabetes is a 24/7 balancing act with trying to manage blood sugar levels to avoid extreme highs or lows,” said Hailey Wyatt Marsh, who is an insulin user. “Severe swings in blood sugar levels could happen anytime, anywhere, and I think that’s the scariest part.”
For Hailey, most of her severe lows happen in the evenings. With her husband occasionally working nights, she needed a rescue plan in case her blood sugar levels dropped to a dangerous low, when eating or drinking carbs safely isn’t an option. After speaking with her doctor about the right emergency plan for her, she decided to stay prepared with BAQSIMI (glucagon) nasal powder 3 mg prescription, the first and only dry nasal spray that can treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes ages 4 years and above. BAQSIMI is a form of glucagon that is administered as a puff in the nose. Do not use BAQSIMI if: you have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland) called pheochromocytoma; you have a tumor in your pancreas called insulinoma; you are allergic to glucagon, or any other ingredient in BAQSIMI.
Less than 48 hours after filling her first prescription, Hailey was sleeping when she had what she considers her “worst” experience with very low blood sugar. After falling out of bed, her husband Eric woke to her lying on the floor.
“Thankfully, I had her medication handy and was able to administer it quickly, allowing her to regain consciousness before the ambulance arrived,” Eric said.
Even though Hailey was unconscious, the BAQSIMI was still able to work because it doesn’t need to be inhaled to take effect. Designed to be simple to use – it comes in a pre-measured dose – Hailey has taught those in her support network, like her husband, how to administer it.
“Before meeting Hailey, I’d had basic first aid training from my time in the Coast Guard, but nothing that would have prepared me for something like this,” he stated.
Hailey’s husband isn’t the only one in her support network ready to help in case of very low blood sugar. Hailey was able to teach many people in her life what to do in case of a low blood sugar emergency, including where she keeps her medication and how to use it the right way. BAQSIMI may cause serious side effects including: High blood pressure. BAQSIMI can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands. Low blood sugar. BAQSIMI can cause certain people with tumors in their pancreas to have low blood sugar. Serious allergic reaction. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction including rash, difficulty breathing or low blood pressure.
If you or someone you know is living with diabetes, reach out to others about building an emergency support network and speak with a doctor about staying prepared – whether at home or traveling – with a rescue product like BAQSIMI.
“I’m lucky to have people in my life who care enough to stay up to speed and educated on managing diabetes. I hope my story can be inspiration for everyone to speak up and ask for support,” said Hailey.
PURPOSE and SAFETY SUMMARY
Important Facts About BAQSIMI™ (BAK-see-mee). It is also known as glucagon nasal powder.
BAQSIMI is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes ages 4 years and above.
It is not known if BAQSIMI is safe and effective in children under 4 years of age.
Warnings
Do not use BAQSIMI if:
‒ you have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland) called pheochromocytoma.
‒ you have a tumor in your pancreas called insulinoma.
‒ you are allergic to glucagon, or any other ingredient in BAQSIMI.
BAQSIMI may cause serious side effects, including:
High blood pressure. BAQSIMI can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands.
Low blood sugar. BAQSIMI can cause certain people with tumors in their pancreas to have low blood sugar.
Serious allergic reaction. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction including:
‒ rash
‒ difficulty breathing
‒ low blood pressure
Common side effects
The most common side effects of BAQSIMI include:
‒ nausea
‒ vomiting
‒ headache
‒ runny nose
‒ discomfort in your nose
‒ stuffy nose
‒ redness in your eyes
‒ itchy nose, throat, and eyes
‒ watery eyes
These are not all the possible side effects of BAQSIMI. For more information, ask your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before using
Before getting BAQSIMI, tell your health care provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
‒ have a tumor in your pancreas.
‒ have not had food or water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation).
‒ are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
‒ are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if BAQSIMI passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you can use BAQSIMI while breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How to use
‒ Read the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with BAQSIMI.
‒ Use BAQSIMI exactly how your doctor tells you to use it.
‒ Make sure your caregiver knows where you keep your BAQSIMI and how to use BAQSIMI the right way before you need their help.
‒ Your doctor will tell you how and when to use BAQSIMI.
‒ BAQSIMI contains only 1 dose of medicine and cannot be reused.
‒ BAQSIMI should be given in one side of your nose (nostril) but does not need to be inhaled.
‒ BAQSIMI will work even if you have a cold or are taking cold medicine.
‒ After giving BAQSIMI, the caregiver should call for emergency medical help right away.
‒ If the person does not respond after 15 minutes, another dose may be given, if available.
‒ Tell your doctor each time you use BAQSIMI.
‒ Store BAQSIMI at temperatures up to 86°F (30°C).
‒ Keep BAQSIMI in the shrink wrapped tube until you are ready to use it.
Keep BAQSIMI and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Learn more
For more information, call 1-800-545-5979 or go to www.baqsimi.com.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use BAQSIMI for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give BAQSIMI to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
This summary provides basic information about BAQSIMI but does not include all information known about this medicine. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about BAQSIMI that is written for health professionals. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other health care provider about BAQSIMI and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if BAQSIMI is right for you.
BAQSIMI™ is a trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
GN CON BS 24JUL19
PP-GN-US-0907 04/2021 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2021. All rights reserved.
