Lilly Diabetes launches mobile application for those who support people with Type 1 diabetes

Lilly Diabetes today announced the release of a new mobile application designed for caregivers and healthcare providers who support people with type 1 diabetes. The Lilly Glucagon Mobile App is a tool to teach how to use Glucagon for Injection, through simulated practice. Glucagon, 1 mg (1 unit), is indicated to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Severe hypoglycemia due to insulin may result in loss of consciousness (insulin coma). The app is designed to help people be more prepared, and also provide an opportunity to store locations and expiration dates of their Lilly Glucagon Emergency Kits. The Lilly Glucagon Mobile App is now available on the iTunes® store as a free download for iPhone® or iPad® mobile devices.

People with type 1 diabetes who experience severe hypoglycemia during insulin treatment may require glucagon, a hormone produced in the pancreas to raise blood sugar levels.[1] Although Glucagon is rarely needed and only used during a severe hypoglycemic event, individuals in the person’s support network, such as family members, teachers, coaches, trusted friends and colleagues, should be trained to give the medicine, which is injected with a syringe. The app can also be used by diabetes educators and school nurses as a teaching tool.

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas in response to an increase in blood sugar, such as after a meal. As many as three million Americans may have type 1 diabetes.[2] Each year more than 15,000 people under age 20 are diagnosed with the disease.[3] Glucagon should not be used in patients who have pheochromocytoma or patients who are allergic to Glucagon. Patients must inform relatives or close friends that if they become unconscious, medical assistance must always be sought. If a patient is unconscious, Glucagon can be given while awaiting medical assistance.

“Lilly Diabetes is committed to developing personalized solutions to help people with diabetes achieve their treatment goals and improve their outcomes,” said Matt Caffrey, U.S. Product Brand Director, Marketing Specialty, Lilly Diabetes. “The Lilly Glucagon Mobile App leverages the power and reach of mobile technology, providing another opportunity to support people living with type 1 diabetes. Lilly Diabetes is constantly striving to create new and better tools to support the diabetes community in a variety of ways.”

The Lilly Glucagon Mobile App is an interactive tool to help caregivers better understand Glucagon’s role in diabetes management. Its purpose is to educate and prepare the caregiver on how to use Glucagon in the event of an emergency. The app was developed with input from healthcare providers and people with diabetes.

The Lilly Glucagon Mobile App includes:

• Information about severe hypoglycemia and Glucagon
• Simulated practice demonstrating how to prepare and inject Glucagon
• Visual and audio emergency instructions
• Tools to keep track of kit locations and alerts for expiration dates
• Important safety information

References

1. Glucagon. U.S. Library of National Medicine. NIH. Updated September 2010. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000691/. Last Accessed May 20, 2012
2. Fact Sheets: General Diabetes Facts. JDRF. Updated December 2011. http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=102586. Last Accessed May 17, 2012.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes fact sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011. www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf . Last Accessed May 17, 2012.