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Blood Glucose Meter Alert



  Blood glucose meters measure glucose concentration through oxidation of glucose by an enzyme. The oxidation reaction is coupled to another chemical reaction that produces either a color change or measureable electrical current. Some glucose meters use a test-strip based on glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinolinequinone (GDH-PQQ). This detection system is not specific for glucose and may react with other sugars including maltose, galactose and xylose. Patients receiving medications containing one of these sugars may have falsely elevated blood glucose measurements. Administration of insulin to such a patient may cause profound hypoglycemia. The most commonly used medications that contain these sugars include:  
  • Extraneal (icodextrin) peritoneal dialysis solution
  • Immunoglobulins: Octagam 5%, Gamimune N 5%, WinRho SDF Liquid, Vaccinia Immune Globulin and HepaGamB
  • Orencia (abatacept)
  • Adept adhesiolysis solution (icodextrin)
  • BEXXAR (tositumomab)
Some of these sugars, such as icodextrin, may persist up to 14 days after treatment. If a patient’s symptoms are inconsistent with their blood glucose meter results, a venipuncture specimen should be immediately sent to the laboratory for confirmation. Results should correlate within 15% of each other. If your hospital or clinic utilizes this type of glucose meter, extra caution is warranted.
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