TABLE 5.

Recommended actions following an episode of hypoglycaemia

1.Evaluate what happened.

Ask patients what happened on the day hypoglycaemia occurred to determine a potential cause.

Encourage additional SMBG measurements, as one low FPG reading may not be a sufficient reason to discontinue titration.

2.Discuss with the patient.

Understand that patients might be scared and discouraged.

Reassure patients that hypoglycaemia is usually rare and manageable. 38

Talk about relevant potential causes of hypoglycaemia. 38

3.Consider changes in insulin dose only after thorough evaluation and discussion to rule out preventable causes of hypoglycaemia.

A dose reduction of 2–4 U or 10%–20% has been proposed if no cause is identified. 38

Patients may ultimately need a higher dose than the dose that was taken when they experienced the hypoglycaemic event.

Abbreviations: FPG, fasting plasma glucose; SMBG, self‐monitored blood glucose.