Dexcom G7 15-Day Sensor Gets FDA Cleared — But Will It Actually Last That Long?

Big news in diabetes tech: Dexcom just received FDA clearance for a 15-day wear version of its G7 continuous glucose monitor. This marks a significant milestone for the company, which has long been promising extended wear time for its latest sensor. For users, this update potentially means packing fewer sensors for trips and reduced waste. But there’s a catch—while the new G7 may be cleared for 15 days, according to Dexcom, it might not actually make it the full distance for everyone.

Buried in the official press release is a key detail that raises questions. “A study was conducted to assess the sensor life where 73.9% of sensors lasted the full 15 days. When using the product per package labeling, approximately 26% of sensors may not last for the full 15 days,” the statement reads. That means roughly 1 in 4 sensors could fail before the two-week mark is up. I reached out to Dexcom for clarification on what this might mean for users—especially when it comes to getting replacements or managing gaps in coverage—but did not receive a response. However, Dexcom did respond to my question about how many sensors people will now receive per month. The answer: two sensors instead of three, reflecting the updated 15-day wear time.

This shift raises a potential issue for users if the 15-day promise doesn’t hold up. If one fails early, they could be left without this life-saving technology for days, especially with insurance plans that only approve a one-month supply at a time.

Dexcom’s current replacement policy allows for three goodwill sensor replacements per year. However, Dexcom will also replace all sensors that are confirmed as failures during the intended lifetime of the sensors through investigation.

Dexcom’s replacement policy may need an update. If roughly 26% of sensors don’t make it to day 15, that could equate to about six failed sensors per year for some users—double what Dexcom currently covers. That’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a potential gap in glucose monitoring coverage. So the question becomes: will Dexcom update its replacement policy to match the reality of its own data? Or will users be left holding the bag—literally—with dead sensors and no support? The other issue is insurance companies only allowing patients to have a one-month supply, or two sensors, at a time. If someone’s second sensor fails early, they will be left without glucose numbers and even automated insulin delivery for days.

This 15-day update is exciting and welcome news overall, but how Dexcom handles the practical implications of sensor performance will determine how meaningful this milestone really is.

The 15-day G7 new sensor is indicated for adults aged 18 and older and is expected to launch in the U.S. in the second half of 2025. Dexcom says it is working closely with its insulin pump partners to ensure the 15-day G7 will be compatible with automated insulin delivery (AID) systems upon launch.

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