Glucose Tablets: How Many Grams and How to Use Them
Glucose tablets are a fast, measured way to treat a low. Many brands list 4 grams of carbohydrate per tablet, so four tablets give about 16 grams. The NIDDK lists four glucose tablets as one way to take 15 to 20 grams. Read the label on your own brand.
What they are
Glucose tablets are chewable tablets that are mostly dextrose, which is glucose, with a binder such as maltodextrin and flavoring. Retailer listings of the Dex4 and TRUEplus labels show 4 grams of total carbohydrate per tablet, and for TRUEplus a serving of four tablets lists 15 grams. Because they are plain glucose, they are absorbed quickly, and the dose is the number on the package instead of a guess. The ADA says glucose is the preferred treatment for a conscious person under 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L).
Grams per tablet
Carbohydrate per tablet is printed on the Nutrition Facts panel. We checked two common brands on 2026-10-22. The makers’ own pages did not give usable US grams: Trividia’s TRUEplus page shows its Nutrition Facts only as images, and dex4.com now redirects to a Canadian site (which states 4 g of glucose per tablet for the Canadian product). So the US figures below come from retailer listings of the package label. The ADA Consumer Guide lists TRUEplus at 3.75 g per tablet, so four tablets give about 15 g. Other brands and flavors differ and labels change; verify your own package.
| Brand (label as listed) | Carbohydrate per tablet | Serving on label |
|---|---|---|
| Dex4 (grape) | 4 g | 1 tablet (4 tablets = 16 g) |
| TRUEplus (50-count) | 4 g | 1 tablet on the 50-count label; the 10-count label lists 4 tablets = 15 g |
We are not endorsing a brand. Four tablets is the NIDDK’s example; your care team may give you a different amount.
How tablets compare with other options
| Option | About 15 to 20 g | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Glucose tablets | 4 tablets | About 16 g if each is 4 g. Known amount, easy to carry. |
| Glucose gel | 1 tube | Label shows grams. Useful if chewing is hard. |
| Fruit juice, not low-calorie | ½ cup (4 oz) | Works, but a glass is easy to over-pour. |
| Regular soda, not diet | ½ can (4 to 6 oz) | Works. |
| Sugar, honey, corn syrup | 1 tbsp | Works; hard to carry neatly. |
Amounts: NIDDK. Notes: our own plain-language comparison, not a clinical claim. Chocolate, cookies and sandwiches are poor first choices because fat and protein slow absorption (ADA).
How to use them
- Check your glucose if you can. Below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), or symptoms of a low, means treat.
- Chew the number of tablets that adds up to 15 grams on your label.
- Wait 15 minutes and check again; repeat if still low. These are the steps of the rule of 15.
- Tell your care team about the low.
Keep them where you will need them
A pack in a bag, the car, at work and by the bed means treatment is never far. Replace anything expired. People who care for you, such as family or school staff, should know where they are. Read the low blood sugar symptoms so you know when to use them.
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Frequently asked questions
What are glucose tablets?
Chewable tablets made mostly of dextrose (a form of glucose) and a filler such as maltodextrin, sold over the counter to treat low blood sugar. The label tells you the carbohydrate per tablet.
How many glucose tablets equal 15 grams?
Many brands list 4 grams of carbohydrate per tablet, so four tablets is about 16 grams. The NIDDK lists four glucose tablets as one way to take 15 to 20 grams. Always check the number on your own package, because some brands differ.
Are glucose tablets better than juice?
They are not “better” in effect but easier to measure and carry. The ADA says glucose is the preferred treatment for a low, and any carbohydrate that contains glucose can be used. Tablets give a known amount; juice amounts vary with the glass.
Can I use glucose tablets for a severe low?
No. If someone is unalert, passes out, has a seizure or cannot swallow safely, do not put anything in their mouth. Call 911; glucagon is the treatment for severe lows.
Do glucose tablets expire?
Yes. Check the date on the package and replace tablets that are expired, and keep a pack where you will have it: bag, car, bedside.
Information only, not medical advice. Your care team may set different targets for you, and only a lab test ordered by a clinician can diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. See our medical disclaimer.
Sources
- NIDDK: Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia)
- ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026, Section 6: Glycemic Goals, Hypoglycemia, and Hyperglycemic Crises
- TRUEplus glucose tablets, product label (retailer listing, checked 2026-10-22)
- Dex4 glucose tablets, product label (retailer listing, checked 2026-10-22)
Last reviewed: by the Diabetes Blogs editorial team. Information only, not medical advice.
