Dexcom Will Discontinue G4 and G5 CGM Systems in the United States

By Divya Gopisetty and Albert Cai

This June, Dexcom will stop selling G4 Platinum and G5 CGM transmitters; the Dexcom Share 2 application will cease working. Starting in 2021, you will not be able to download the Dexcom Studio app. This is all a way to clear the way for Dexcom’s G7

Are you or a loved one using a Dexcom G4 Platinum or G5 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) this year in the United States? If your answer is yes, see these important updates that Dexcom announced this month:

• In June of 2020, Dexcom will stop selling G4 PLATINUM and G5 Mobile CGM transmitters.

• By the end of 2020, Dexcom will stop selling G4 PLATINUM and G5 Mobile CGM sensors.

• On June 30 of 2020, the Dexcom Share 2 app will stop working. After this date, Dexcom followers for people using the G4 sensor will stop receiving blood sugar readings.

• After December 31 of 2020, you cannot download the Dexcom Studio app, and Dexcom will stop supporting the app. If you download it prior to this date, you can still use the app to view your data. The software will continue to work, but troubleshooting, technical support, and updates will no longer be provided.

Dexcom encourages its customers to upgrade to the Dexcom G6 CGM and to start using Dexcom Clarity to view blood sugar trends. In this Facebook post, Dexcom says that it will help G4 and G5 users upgrade to the G6 the next time they order supplies.

Should you upgrade to the Dexcom G6 CGM?

There are many benefits of the Dexcom G6 CGM, including no fingerstick calibrations, longer wear time (10 days), and the ability to share blood sugar data with up to 10 followers (with the Follow app on Apple or Android). See our detailed report on the Dexcom G6 from 2018, which includes our take on the best features of the G6 and how it compares to the G5.

Instead of Dexcom Studio, you can use Dexcom Clarity to view your sugar trends.

Dexcom is encouraging its customers to switch to Dexcom Clarity for blood sugar management and reports. Dexcom Clarity automatically creates snapshots of your blood sugar management for the past day, week, or few months. By summarizing your patterns, Clarity can help you better manage your blood sugar and understand your time in range.

Past data can still be viewed on the Dexcom Studio app, but there’s currently no way of bringing this data into Dexcom Clarity.

Data can still be shared – instead of Dexcom Share 2, you will need to download the Dexcom Follow app.

The same share feature is available for G6. To set it up, first download the Dexcom Follow app. In the app, invite your followers. Even if they were following you through the Dexcom Share 2 app, they will need to be re-invited.

Tip: You can get a “sharing code” through Clarity which you can share with your doctor before or during your telemedicine appointment.

Does the G6 cost more than the G5? 

The price for G6 sensors is the same as G5 sensors – $349 per box. Though, with the G6, you receive three sensors lasting ten days each (with the G5, you receive a box of four sensors lasting about 7 days each). 

Looking forward, Dexcom/Verily’s next-generation G7 CGM is still expected to have a mini-launch in late 2020 and a full launch in 2021. However, given the impact of COVID-19, this timeline may change.

If you need help with a specific situation, we encourage you to reach out to Dexcom’s support team. If you do not live in the United States, you can contact your local Dexcom representative to learn about specific plans in your region.