[Nasal glucagon (Baqsimi®), new treatment for hypoglycaemic coma]

Patients with insulin-treated type 1 diabetes (T1D) are exposed to hypoglycaemia, which may be serious. Serious cognitive impairment (including coma and seizure) that requires the help of a third party is a medical emergency. Besides the intravenous injection of glucose by a health care provider, its treatment consists of the subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of glucagon which may be performed by a family member. However, such an injection is not easy and puts off some people, which retards the initiation of a potentially life-saving therapy. The intranasal administration of 3 mg glucagon has been shown as efficacious as the subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of 1 mg glucagon in controlled studies carried out in both adult and youth patients with T1D. Stimulation and real-life studies among caregivers, patients and acquaintances showed a preference for nasal glucagon because of its easy and quick use. The launch of nasal glucagon (Baqsimi®) offers new perspectives for the ambulatory emergency management of severe hypoglycaemia and hypoglycaemic coma with a special obvious advantage in children.