Pronunciation
(GLOO ka gon)
Index Terms
- Glucagon HCl
- Glucagon Hydrochloride
Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Kit, Injection:
Glucagon Emergency: 1 mg [contains lactose]
Solution Reconstituted, Injection:
GlucaGen Diagnostic: 1 mg (1 ea)
GlucaGen HypoKit: 1 mg (1 ea)
Generic: 1 mg (1 ea)
Brand Names: U.S.
- GlucaGen Diagnostic
- GlucaGen HypoKit
- Glucagon Emergency
Pharmacologic Category
- Antidote
- Antidote, Hypoglycemia
- Diagnostic Agent
Pharmacology
Stimulates adenylate cyclase to produce increased cyclic AMP, which promotes hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, causing a raise in blood glucose levels; antihypoglycemic effect requires preexisting hepatic glycogen stores. Extra hepatic effects of glucagon include relaxation of the smooth muscle of the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, and colon.
Distribution
Vd: ~0.25 L/kg
Metabolism
Primarily hepatic; some inactivation occurring renally and in plasma
Onset of Action
Blood glucose levels: Peak effect: IV: 5 to 20 minutes; IM: 30 minutes; SubQ: 30 to 45 minutes
GI relaxation: IV: 45 seconds; IM: 4 to 10 minutes
Time to Peak
IM: ~10 to 12.5 minutes; SubQ: 20 minutes
Duration of Action
Glucose elevation: IV, IM, SubQ: 60 to 90 minutes
GI relaxation: IV: 9 to 25 minutes; IM: 12 to 32 minutes
Half-Life Elimination
Plasma: IV: 8 to 18 minutes; IM (apparent): 26 to 45 minutes
Use: Labeled Indications
Diagnostic aid: As a diagnostic aid during radiologic examinations to temporarily inhibit movement of the GI tract in adults.
Hypoglycemia: Treatment of severe hypoglycemia in pediatric and adult patients. Note: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that glucagon be prescribed for all diabetic patients at increased risk of clinically significant hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dL); caregivers, school personnel, or family members of these patients should be trained on when and how to administer glucagon (ADA 2018).
Limitations of use: Products not packaged with a syringe and diluent necessary for rapid preparation and administration during an emergency outside of a health care facility are not indicated for the emergency treatment of hypoglycemia.
Off Label Uses
Anaphylactic reactions
Based on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) guidelines for management of anaphylaxis, glucagon may be used as an alternative agent for the treatment of an anaphylactic reaction in patients on beta-blocker therapy who are refractory to standard measures [Lieberman 2010].
Beta-blocker-induced myocardial depression
Based on the American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care, glucagon given for beta-blocker-induced myocardial depression is effective and recommended in patients with severe cardiovascular instability refractory to standard measures, including vasopressors.
Calcium channel blocker-induced myocardial depression
Clinical experience suggests the utility of glucagon in the treatment of severe cardiovascular instability refractory to standard measures, including vasopressors [Bailey 2003]. However, the American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care suggest that the use of glucagon for calcium channel blocker overdose is not well-established due to insufficient and conflicting evidence.
Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to glucagon, lactose, or any component of the formulation; pheochromocytoma; insulinoma; glucagonoma (excluding GlucaGen)
Dosing: Adult
Diagnostic aid:
Relaxation of stomach, duodenal bulb, duodenum, and small bowel:
IM: 1 mg
IV: 0.2 to 0.5 mg
Relaxation of colon:
IM: 1 to 2 mg
IV: 0.5 to 0.75 mg
Hypoglycemia: IM, IV, SubQ: 1 mg; may repeat in 15 minutes as needed. Note: IV dextrose should be administered as soon as it is available; if patient fails to respond to glucagon, IV dextrose must be given.
Anaphylactic reaction (refractory) in patients on beta-blocker therapy (off-label use): IV: Initial: 1 to 5 mg; followed by an infusion of 5 to 15 mcg/minute; titrate the infusion rate to achieve an adequate clinical response (Lieberman 2010).
Beta-blocker- or calcium channel blocker-induced myocardial depression (with or without hypotension) unresponsive to standard measures (off-label use; AHA [Vanden Hoek 2010]; Bailey 2003): IV: 3 to 10 mg (or 0.05 to 0.15 mg/kg) bolus followed by an infusion of 3 to 5 mg/hour (or 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg/hour); titrate infusion rate to achieve adequate clinical response (AHA [Vanden Hoek 2010])
Dosing: Geriatric
Refer to adult dosing.
Dosing: Pediatric
Hypoglycemia: Note: IV dextrose should be administered as soon as it is available; if patient fails to respond to glucagon, IV dextrose must be given.
Infants, Children, and Adolescents: IM, IV, SubQ:
Glucagon Emergency Kit:
<20 kg: 0.5 mg or 0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg/dose; may repeat in 15 minutes as needed
≥20 kg: 1 mg; may repeat in 15 minutes as needed
GlucaGen:
Age-based dosing (if weight is unknown):
Infants and Children <6 years: 0.5 mg; may repeat in 15 minutes if needed
Children ≥6 years and Adolescents: 1 mg; may repeat in 15 minutes if needed
Weight-based dosing:
<25 kg: 0.5 mg; may repeat in 15 minutes if needed
≥25 kg: 1 mg; may repeat in 15 minutes if needed
Anaphylactic reaction (refractory) in patients on beta-blocker therapy (off-label use): Children: IV: Initial: 20 to 30 mcg/kg (maximum: 1 mg); followed by an infusion of 5 to 15 mcg/minute; titrate the infusion rate to achieve an adequate clinical response (Lieberman 2010)
Beta-blocker- or calcium channel blocker-induced myocardial depression (with or without hypotension) unresponsive to standard measures (off-label use): IV:
Children: Initial bolus of 30 to 150 mcg/kg followed by an infusion of 70 mcg/kg/hour (maximum: 5 mg/hour) (Hegenbarth 2008)
Adolescents: Initial: 5 to 10 mg over several minutes followed by infusion of 1 to 5 mg/hour (Hegenbarth 2008; PALS [Kleinman 2010])
Dosing: Renal Impairment
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling.
Dosing: Hepatic Impairment
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling.
Reconstitution
Reconstitute powder for injection by adding 1 mL of manufacturer-supplied sterile diluent or sterile water for injection to a vial containing 1 unit of the drug, to provide solutions containing 1 mg of glucagon/mL. Shake vial gently to dissolve. Solution for infusion may be prepared by reconstitution with and further dilution in NS or D5W (Love, 1998).
Administration
Diagnostic aid: For IM or IV administration. If given IV, administer over 1 minute. After the diagnostic procedure, administer oral carbohydrates to patients who have been fasting, if this is compatible with the diagnostic procedure applied. Bolus IV doses >1 mg are not recommended.
Hypoglycemia: For SubQ, IM, or IV administration in the upper arms, thighs, or buttocks. Administer fast-acting and long-acting oral carbohydrates to patient as soon as possible after response to treatment.
IV: Rapid injection may be associated with increased nausea and vomiting; place patient in lateral recumbent position to protect airway (Liberman 2010) and to prevent choking when consciousness returns.
Anaphylactic reaction (refractory) in patients on beta-blocker therapy: Administer bolus over 5 minutes (Lieberman 2010).
Beta-blocker/calcium channel blocker toxicity: Administer bolus over 3 to 5 minutes; continuous infusions may be used. Ensure adequate supply available to continue therapy (AHA [Vanden Hoek 2010]).
Dietary Considerations
Administer oral carbohydrates to patient as soon as possible after response to treatment.
Storage
Prior to reconstitution, store at 20°C to 25°C (69°F to 77°F) for up to 24 months. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Use reconstituted solution immediately; discard unused portion.
Drug Interactions
Anticholinergic Agents: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Glucagon. Specifically, the risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects may be increased. Monitor therapy
Antidiabetic Agents: Hyperglycemia-Associated Agents may diminish the therapeutic effect of Antidiabetic Agents. Monitor therapy
Indomethacin: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Glucagon. Monitor therapy
Vitamin K Antagonists (eg, warfarin): Glucagon may enhance the anticoagulant effect of Vitamin K Antagonists. Monitor therapy
Adverse Reactions
Frequency not defined.
Cardiovascular: Hypertension, hypotension (up to 2 hours after GI procedures), increased blood pressure, increased pulse, tachycardia
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting (high incidence with rapid administration of high doses)
Miscellaneous: Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reaction
<1%, postmarketing, and/or case reports: Abdominal pain, hypoglycemia, hypoglycemic coma, respiratory distress, urticaria
Warnings/Precautions
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Hypersensitivity reactions: Allergic reactions including skin rash and anaphylactic shock (with hypotension and respiratory difficulties) have been reported; reactions have generally been associated with endoscopic patients.
Disease-related concerns:
• Adrenal insufficiency: Use with caution in patients with adrenal insufficiency; levels of glucose stores in liver may be decreased.
• Cardiac disease: Use with caution in patients with cardiac disease.
• Chronic hypoglycemia: Use with caution in patients with chronic hypoglycemia; levels of glucose stores in liver may be decreased.
• Diabetes: Use caution if using as diagnostic aid in patients with diabetes on insulin; may cause hyperglycemia.
• Glucagonoma: Use with caution in patients with glucagonoma. The use of glucagon is contraindicated in patients with this condition (excluding GlucaGen).
• Insulinoma: Exogenous glucagon may cause an initial rise in blood glucose followed by rebound hypoglycemia. The use of glucagon is contraindicated in patients with this condition.
• Pheochromocytoma: Exogenous glucagon may cause the release of catecholamines, resulting in an increase in blood pressure. The use of glucagon is contraindicated in patients with this condition.
• Starvation/fasting: Use caution with prolonged fasting and/or starvation; levels of glucose stores in liver may be decreased.
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
• Drug-drug interactions: Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information.
Dosage form specific issues:
• Lactose: May contain lactose; avoid administration in hereditary galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Other warnings/precautions:
• Appropriate use: Insulin or sulfonylurea overdose: Patients with hypoglycemia should immediately be treated with dextrose. If IV access cannot be established or if dextrose is not available, glucagon may be considered as alternative acute treatment until dextrose can be administered.
• Secondary hypoglycemia: Supplemental carbohydrates should be given to patients who respond to glucagon for severe hypoglycemia to prevent secondary hypoglycemia.
Monitoring Parameters
Blood pressure, blood glucose, ECG, heart rate, mentation; signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction.
Pregnancy Risk Factor
B
Pregnancy Considerations
Adverse events have not been observed in animal reproduction studies.
Patient Education
• Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
• Patient may experience nausea or vomiting. Have patient report immediately to prescriber signs of low blood sugar (dizziness, headache, fatigue, feeling weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating), signs of high blood sugar (confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit), severe dizziness, passing out, severe headache, tachycardia, or bradycardia (HCAHPS).
• Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for healthcare professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating and advising patients.
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Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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Other brands: GlucaGen