Dexcom Intros Apps That Enable the First Ever CGM on the Apple Watch™
Dexcom announced today that its Dexcom G4® PLATINUM Continuous Glucose Monitoring System with Share™ will support the Apple Watch™ when it ships to customers on April 24. As the industry’s first mobile-connected system, Dexcom CGM and its mobile apps, Share™2 and Follow, are already approved by the FDA and allow both users and “followers” to view glucose data directly on their iPhone. The Apple Watch apps from Dexcom will now enable users to monitor glucose on the Apple Watch so that people with diabetes can discreetly view their own information while parents and caregivers can conveniently view a child or loved one’s glucose data, giving them peace of mind and reassurance when they are apart.
Dexcom CGM provides patients the opportunity to track their glucose levels and trends right on their wrist with the Apple Watch™. Additionally, patients or “Sharers” can invite up to five people to view their glucose information and send an alert when the sharer’s glucose levels are outside the norm.
“Dexcom is committed to providing our patients with access to the most current technology to better manage their diabetes,” stated Kevin Sayer, Chief Executive Office of Dexcom. “We are excited that the Dexcom CGM glucose data is now available on the Apple Watch™, allowing greater convenience for those who want this important information in an easy-to-use and discreet form. We share Apple’s commitment to making technology more accessible, relevant and personal.”
Continuous glucose monitoring is considered the most significant breakthrough in diabetes management in the past 40 years1. The traditional standard-of-care for glucose (blood sugar) monitoring has been a finger stick meter. CGM augments the use of glucose meters for the management of diabetes. Meters are still required to calibrate CGMs and for guidance in making therapy and meal decisions. CGM is important because, in addition to providing the glucose level, it provides the direction and rate of glucose change with the push of a button and alerts users when glucose is too low or too high.
Diabetes affects 29.1 million Americans and is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.2With diabetes, the body cannot produce or use the hormone insulin effectively, causing a buildup of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. It is estimated that approximately 86 million Americans over the age of 20 years old are at risk for developing diabetes, largely due to obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet.2 People with diabetes who take insulin must monitor their blood glucose levels frequently. Uncontrolled glucose can cause health complications and even death.3,4
Currently, customers can download the Dexcom Share2 and Follow apps to their iPhone for free from the App Store. As of April 24, these Apple Watch apps will also be available for free download from the Apple Watch App Store.