Gvoke VialDx Side Effects

Generic name: glucagon

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 28, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Gvoke VialDx Side Effects associated with glucagon. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Gvoke VialDx.

Applies to glucagon: injection powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

• nasal powder, powder nasal

Common side effects of Gvoke VialDx

Some side effects of glucagon may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of Gvoke VialDx

Along with its needed effects, glucagon (the active ingredient contained in Gvoke VialDx) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking glucagon:

Precautions

Patients with diabetes should be aware of the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). These symptoms may develop in a very short time and may result from:

• using too much insulin (“insulin reaction”) or as a side effect from oral antidiabetic medicines
• delaying or missing a scheduled snack or meal
• sickness (especially with vomiting or diarrhea)
• exercising more than usual.

Unless corrected, hypoglycemia will lead to unconsciousness, seizures, and possibly death. Early symptoms of hypoglycemia include: anxious feeling, behavior change similar to being drunk, blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, cool pale skin, difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, excessive hunger, fast heartbeat, headache, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, restless sleep, shakiness, slurred speech, and unusual tiredness or weakness.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia can differ from person to person. It is important that you learn your own signs of low blood sugar so that you can treat it quickly. It is a good idea also to check your blood sugar to confirm that it is low.

You should know what to do if symptoms of low blood sugar occur. Eating or drinking something containing sugar when symptoms of low blood sugar first appear will usually prevent them from getting worse, and will probably make the use of glucagon unnecessary. Good sources of sugar include glucose tablets or gel, corn syrup, honey, sugar cubes or table sugar (dissolved in water), fruit juice, or non-diet soft drinks. If a meal is not scheduled soon (1 hour or less), you should also eat a light snack, such as crackers and cheese or half a sandwich or drink a glass of milk to keep your blood sugar from going down again. You should not eat hard candy or mints because the sugar will not get into your blood stream quickly enough. You also should not eat foods high in fat such as chocolate because the fat slows down the sugar entering the blood stream. After 10 to 20 minutes, check your blood sugar again to make sure it is not still too low.

Tell someone to take you to your doctor or to a hospital right away if the symptoms do not improve after eating or drinking a sweet food. Do not try to drive, use machines, or do anything dangerous until you have eaten a sweet food.

Tell your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, dizziness, nervousness, headache, pounding in the ears, or slow or fast heartbeat. These may be symptoms of high blood pressure.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth, or lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting while you are receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions, including necrolytic migratory erythema (NME). Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, red skin rash in the face, groin, buttocks, or legs.

If severe symptoms, including seizures or unconsciousness occur, the patient with diabetes should not be given anything to eat or drink. There is a chance that he or she could choke from not swallowing correctly. Glucagon should be given and the patient's doctor should be called at once.

If it becomes necessary to inject glucagon, a family member or friend should know the following:

• After the injection, turn the patient on his or her left side. Glucagon may cause some patients to vomit and this position will reduce the possibility of choking.
• The patient should become conscious in less than 15 minutes after glucagon is injected, but if not, a second dose may be given. Get the patient to a doctor or to hospital emergency care as soon as possible because being unconscious too long can be harmful.
• When the patient is conscious and can swallow, give him or her some form of sugar. Glucagon is not effective for much longer than 1½ hours and is used only until the patient is able to swallow. Fruit juice, corn syrup, honey, and sugar cubes or table sugar (dissolved in water) all work quickly. Then, if a snack or meal is not scheduled for an hour or more, the patient should also eat some crackers and cheese or half a sandwich, or drink a glass of milk. This will prevent hypoglycemia from occurring again before the next meal or snack.
• The patient or caregiver should continue to monitor the patient's blood sugar. For about 3 to 4 hours after the patient regains consciousness, the blood sugar should be checked every hour.
• If nausea and vomiting prevent the patient from swallowing some form of sugar for an hour after glucagon is given, medical help should be obtained.

Keep your doctor informed of any hypoglycemic episodes or use of glucagon even if the symptoms are successfully controlled and there seem to be no continuing problems. Complete information is necessary for the doctor to provide the best possible treatment of any condition.

Replace your supply of glucagon as soon as possible, in case another hypoglycemic episode occurs.

You should wear a medical identification (ID) bracelet or chain at all times. In addition, you should carry an ID card that lists your medical condition and medicines.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to glucagon: injectable powder for injection, nasal powder, subcutaneous solution.

General adverse events

The more commonly reported adverse reactions have included nausea, vomiting, and headache; nasal and ocular symptoms including watery eyes and nasal congestion and itching have been reported with nasal administration.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic reactions
• Frequency not reported: Generalized allergic reactions^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 18.3%)
• Frequency not reported: Dysgeusia (nasal), parosmia (nasal)

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypoglycemia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypoglycemia coma

Hypoglycemia/hypoglycemia coma have been reported in patients using this drug as a diagnostic aid, especially among those patients who have fasted.

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Watery eyes, itchy eyes, redness of eyes

Watery eyes, itchy eyes, and eye redness were reported when adult patients were specifically questioned if these symptoms were present; some increase in symptom severity was reported by 58.8%, 21.6%, 24.8%, respectively. Symptom worsening of watery eyes, itchy eyes, and eye redness were reported by 47.2%, 16.7%, 13.9%, of pediatric patients, respectively.

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 26.1%), vomiting (up to 15%)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abdominal pain
• Frequency not reported: Throat irritation (nasal)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Pruritus
• Postmarketing reports: Necrolytic migratory erythema (with continuous glucagon (the active ingredient contained in Gvoke VialDx) infusions)

Cardiovascular

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Bradycardia, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract irritation (up to 16.7%)
• Frequency not reported: Nasal pruritus (nasal)

Upper respiratory tract irritation including rhinorrhea, nasal discomfort, nasal congestion, cough, and epistaxis were reported in 12.4% of adult patients in pooled studies of IM and nasal glucagon. In pediatric studies, upper respiratory tract irritation including nasal discomfort, nasal congestion, and sneezing were reported in up to 16.7% of patients. When adult patients were questioned specifically if symptoms of nasal congestion, nasal itchiness, runny nose, sneezing, or itchy throat were present and worsened 42.5%, 39.2%, 34.6%, 19.6%, and 12.4% reported some increase in symptom severity, respectively; 41.7%, 27.8%, and 25% of pediatric patients reported some increase in symptom severity of nasal congestion, nasal itchiness, and runny nose, respectively.

Other

• Frequency not reported: Itching of ears

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• When should you use glucagon?
• How long does Baqsimi last?
• Are glucagon and glycogen the same thing?
• Insulin vs Glucagon - What do they have in common?
• How does the release of glucagon affect blood glucose levels?
• How much does Baqsimi cost?
• Is Baqsimi covered by Medicare?
• How do you use Baqsimi nasal powder?
• How do you administer a glucagon injection kit?

Further information

Gvoke VialDx side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer