Hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar, occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar) level drops too low to provide enough energy for your body’s activities.

Normal blood glucose ranges (mg/dL)
Normal blood glucose levels in people who do not have diabetes

Upon waking (fasting)	70 to 110
After meals	Less than 140

Hypoglycemia: A Side Effect of Diabetes Medications
In people taking certain blood-glucose lowering medications, blood glucose can fall too low for a number of reasons:

• Meals or snacks that are too small, delayed, or skipped
• Excessive doses of insulin or some diabetes medications
• Increased activity or exercise
• Excessive drinking of alcohol

Symptoms

• Sudden dizziness, shakiness, or mood change (even combativeness)
• Headache, confusion, difficulty paying attention
• Pale skin, sweating
• Hunger
• Clumsy, jerky movements
• Possible seizure

First Aid

• Talk to victim and confirm diabetes
• Give victim sugar: 3 glucose tablets, ½ cup fruit juice, 1 or 2 spoon (not non-sugar) sweetener, or 5-6 pieces of hard candy (unless choking is a risk)
• If victim still feels ill or has signs and symptoms after 15 minutes, give more sugar
• DO NOT Try to inject insulin or put food into an unresponsive victim!