What is CGM?
Dexcom CGM Systems, including the Dexcom G7 CGM System shown above, send glucose readings directly to your compatible smartphone, smartwatch, or handheld receiver up to every five minutes.† Dexcom CGM Systems can show you where your glucose levels are at in the moment, where they’ve been, and where they’re headed. Helpful trend arrows and proactive alerts can let you know if you’re going high or low.
How does CGM work?
CGM systems like Dexcom G7 take glucose readings using a sensor inserted just below the skin. Dexcom G7 sensors are discreet, comfortable, and painless to apply and can be worn for up to 10 days.‡,2
CGM systems eliminate the need for routine fingersticks*, so you can focus on what matters most during the day, and stay in the know about your glucose, even at night.
Dexcom CGM Systems provide a wealth of glucose data and insights that can help you make treatment decisions around eating, physical activity, and insulin dosing with greater confidence.
Make the switch from BGM to CGM
A blood glucose meter (BGM) only provides a snapshot of your levels.
BGMs show you your blood glucose level in the moment. You have to constantly prick your finger to see how your glucose is changing, which can leave you in the dark about your glucose in between readings.
A CGM can give you continuous insight into your glucose.
Dexcom CGM Systems can provide a detailed view of your glucose trends, show you where your glucose is heading, and alert you about important changes in your glucose before they happen.
Who should use CGM?
Dexcom CGM Systems can be used by adults and children two years of age and older living with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
CGM can support you if you’re struggling to reach your A1C goals, if you frequently experience hypoglycemia, or if you often miss the signs of low glucose. It can also help you understand how new lifestyle changes and dietary choices contribute to your glucose goals. Using CGM can give you a little extra peace of mind if you worry about knowing where your glucose is headed and understanding what’s affecting it, empowering you to feel a greater sense of control around managing your glucose.
Diabetes Canada recommends CGM for enhanced diabetes care§,9
For Type 1 Diabetes
Individuals living with type 1 diabetes on basal-bolus insulin therapy should use CGM to reduce A1C and increase time in range while improving well-being and overall treatment satisfaction.§
For Type 2 Diabetes
Those living with type 2 diabetes on basal-bolus insulin therapy who haven’t reached their glucose targets may use CGM to help lower A1C and reduce hypoglycemia.§
“Dexcom has changed everything. Now, I can look at my Dexcom at any time and the direction arrow lets me know where my glucose is heading in the next five minutes. I realized that this is power, this is control. I’m not going to let diabetes rule my life.”
—Laura, Dexcom Warrior
Choose the right glucose monitor for you
The right glucose monitor should fit into your lifestyle, support your diabetes care plan,
and offer you a little extra peace of mind around monitoring your glucose.
and offer you a little extra peace of mind around monitoring your glucose.
Dexcom G7 | Dexcom G6 | BGMs | |
Continuous Glucose Readings | ✓ Sensor takes continuous readings and sends them to your compatible smart device or receiver.† | ✓ Sensor takes continuous readings and sends them to your compatible smart device or receiver.† | X Requires regular fingerpricks to get readings and may require you to log each reading manually. |
Predictive Low Glucose Alert | ✓ Urgent Low Soon alert can notify you up to 20 minutes before you reach a serious low (<3.1mmol/L). | ✓ Urgent Low Soon alert can notify you up to 20 minutes before you reach a serious low (<3.1mmol/L). | X No real-time glucose notifications. You’ll only know your glucose level if you prick your finger for a reading. |
Remote Monitoring | ✓ Dexcom Follow app allows up to 10 people to view your continuous glucose readings on their smart device, anytime.|| | ✓ Dexcom Follow app allows up to 10 people to view your continuous glucose readings on their smart device, anytime.|| | X Not all BGMs enable remote sharing. If the device does offer sharing, you still need to take glucose readings manually to share those readings with followers. |
Insulin Pump Compatible | X Integration with widely-available insulin pumps is currently pending approval. | ✓ Can be integrated with Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump. | X Cannot be integrated with insulin pumps. |
Getting Readings is Comfortable and Discreet | ✓ Painless insertion.‡2 Can be worn on the back of the upper arm or the lower abdomen. Kids 2–6 years old can also wear it on their upper buttocks. | ✓ Painless insertion.¶10 Can be worn for up to 10 days on the back of the upper arm or the lower abdomen. Kids 2–17 years old can wear it on their abdomen or upper buttocks. | X BGMs require you to stop what you’re doing and prick your fingers to get blood samples for readings. |
Suitable for a Wide Range of Individuals | ✓ Approved for children as young as 2 years old and for use during pregnancy. | ✓ Approved for children as young as 2 years old. | X Fingersticks can be painful and inconvenient for young children and increase the burden of self-care for adults living with diabetes. |
Suitable for Busy and Active Lifestyles | ✓ Wearable, waterproof#2 sensor can be worn for up to 10 days with an additional 12-hour sensor change grace period. | ✓ Wearable, water-resistant** sensor can be worn for up to 10 days, no additional grace period. | X Requires you to bring your BGM, test strips, and lancing device with you everywhere and interrupt your day to get readings. |
Getting started with Dexcom CGM Systems
Where can I get a Dexcom G7 CGM System?
Are Dexcom CGM Systems covered by insurance in Canada?
Can I try the Dexcom G7 CGM System for free?
Canadians living with diabetes can get up to 20% off the out-of-pocket cost* of Dexcom G7 sensors at pharmacy
The Dexcom G7 Patient Benefit Program assists in reducing or sometimes even eliminating out-of-pocket costs for people living with diabetes who use the Dexcom G7 CGM System, making it more affordable than ever!
Download a copy of the program certificate below which can be redeemed at any pharmacy.
* Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
† For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
‡ Patients reported 94% of insertions were painless (mild, no pain)
§ Recommendation requires the individual to be willing and able to use on a nearly daily basis.
|| Requires the Follow App and an internet connection. Followers should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G7 CGM App or Dexcom G6 CGM App before making treatment decisions.
¶ 84% of Dexcom G6 users report painless sensor insertion.
# The Dexcom G7 Sensor is waterproof and may be submerged under eight feet of water for up to 24 hours without failure when properly installed.
** The Dexcom G6 Sensor and Transmitter are water-resistant and may be submerged under eight feet of water for up to 24 hours without failure when properly installed.
††The Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (“CGM”) System (“Dexcom G7”) is provided for the sole purpose of allowing a healthcare provider and patient to observe and evaluate the patient experience, including the ease of use, safety, and efficacy of the Dexcom G7 and to determine whether the Dexcom G7 is right for the patient. This sample includes one (1) Dexcom G7 sensor.
‡‡ Based on reasonable upcharge, mark-up and customary pharmacy dispensing fee.
† For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit dexcom.com/compatibility.
‡ Patients reported 94% of insertions were painless (mild, no pain)
§ Recommendation requires the individual to be willing and able to use on a nearly daily basis.
|| Requires the Follow App and an internet connection. Followers should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G7 CGM App or Dexcom G6 CGM App before making treatment decisions.
¶ 84% of Dexcom G6 users report painless sensor insertion.
# The Dexcom G7 Sensor is waterproof and may be submerged under eight feet of water for up to 24 hours without failure when properly installed.
** The Dexcom G6 Sensor and Transmitter are water-resistant and may be submerged under eight feet of water for up to 24 hours without failure when properly installed.
††The Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (“CGM”) System (“Dexcom G7”) is provided for the sole purpose of allowing a healthcare provider and patient to observe and evaluate the patient experience, including the ease of use, safety, and efficacy of the Dexcom G7 and to determine whether the Dexcom G7 is right for the patient. This sample includes one (1) Dexcom G7 sensor.
‡‡ Based on reasonable upcharge, mark-up and customary pharmacy dispensing fee.
1 Dexcom, data on file, 2023.
2 Dexcom G7 User Guide, 2023
3 Beck, RW, et al. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371-378.
4 Beck RW, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(6):365-374.
5 Martens T, et al. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272.
6 Laffel LM, et al. JAMA. 2020;323(23):2388-2396.
7 Welsh JB, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022:19322968221099879.
8 Heinemann L, et al. Lancet 2018;391 :1367-77.
9 Cheng A, et al. Can J Diabetes. 2021;45:580-7.
10 Shah V, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2018;20(6):428-433.
2 Dexcom G7 User Guide, 2023
3 Beck, RW, et al. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371-378.
4 Beck RW, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(6):365-374.
5 Martens T, et al. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272.
6 Laffel LM, et al. JAMA. 2020;323(23):2388-2396.
7 Welsh JB, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022:19322968221099879.
8 Heinemann L, et al. Lancet 2018;391 :1367-77.
9 Cheng A, et al. Can J Diabetes. 2021;45:580-7.
10 Shah V, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2018;20(6):428-433.