Smartwatches and smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose levels without piercing the skin have not been authorized, cleared or approved by the FDA, the agency has warned in a recent safety communication.

“Sellers of these smartwatches and smart rings claim their devices measure blood glucose levels without requiring people to prick their finger or pierce the skin,” the FDA said. The to-be-avoided smartwatches and smart rings are “manufactured by dozens of companies and sold under multiple brand names,” the agency explained, and available through online marketplaces and directly from sellers.

The agency advises that inaccurate blood glucose measurements can lead to errors such as taking the wrong dose of insulin or other medications that can rapidly lower blood glucose. “Taking too much of these medications can quickly lead to dangerously low glucose, leading to mental confusion, coma, or death within hours of the error,” the FDA said.

Read the FDA’s safety communication here.

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