GlucaGen

Pronunciation: GLOO-ka-gon
Generic Name: Glucagon
Brand Name: GlucaGen

GlucaGen is used for:

Treating severe low blood sugar in patients with diabetes who are unable to take sugar by mouth. GlucaGen also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

GlucaGen is a hormone. It works by stimulating the liver to release glucose into the blood.

Do NOT use GlucaGen if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in GlucaGen, including lactose


• you have certain tumors on your adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) or pancreas (insulinoma)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using GlucaGen:

Some medical conditions may interact with GlucaGen. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have adrenal gland problems, heart problems, chronic low blood sugar, a certain tumor on your pancreas (glucagonoma), or diabetes


• if you are malnourished or have been unable to eat, or if you have been fasting for a long period of time

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with GlucaGen. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects, including increased risk of bleeding, may be increased by GlucaGen


• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) or indomethacin because they may decrease GlucaGen's effectiveness


• Anticholinergics (eg, tolterodine) because the risk of stomach or bowel side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if GlucaGen may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use GlucaGen:

Use GlucaGen as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with GlucaGen. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Carefully follow the instructions for use, and be sure family members, friends, and coworkers know how and when to give you GlucaGen. Contact your health care provider if you have questions about use. Symptoms of low blood sugar include: sweating; dizziness; irregular heartbeat; tremor; hunger; restlessness; tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or tongue; lightheadedness; inability to concentrate; headache; drowsiness; sleep disturbances; anxiety; blurred vision; slurred speech; depressed mood; irritability; abnormal behavior; unsteady movement; personality changes; seizures; loss of consciousness; confusion.


• Seek medical attention immediately after use. You may need further medical evaluation. Tell the doctor or health care provider that you have received an injection of glucagon.


• Do not use GlucaGen if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• After mixing, use immediately. Throw away any unused portion. Do not use GlucaGen after the date stamped on the bottle.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of GlucaGen, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use GlucaGen.

Important safety information:

• Always carry a quick source of sugar such as candy or glucose tablets to take at the first warning sign of a low blood sugar reaction.


• GlucaGen should only be given if the patient is unconscious, is having a seizure, or is confused and not able to eat sugar by mouth.


• Once the patient is awake and able to swallow after giving GlucaGen, give a fast-acting source of sugar (eg, regular soft drink, fruit juice) and a long-acting source of sugar (eg, crackers and cheese, meat sandwich).


• Make sure your relatives or close friends know that medical attention is always required if you become unconscious. Patients who are unconscious because of high blood sugar will not respond to GlucaGen and should not be given candy or glucose tablets.


• Check blood or urine sugar levels closely, as directed by your doctor.


• Lab tests, including blood glucose levels, may be performed while you use GlucaGen. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using GlucaGen while you are pregnant. It is not known if GlucaGen is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use GlucaGen, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of GlucaGen:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue); fainting; fast or slow heartbeat; severe headache or dizziness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: GlucaGen side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; fast heartbeat; nausea; severe headache or dizziness; vomiting.

Proper storage of GlucaGen:

Before mixing, store GlucaGen for up to 24 months between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store in the original packaging away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. After mixing, use immediately. Do not use GlucaGen after the expiration date printed on the package. Keep GlucaGen out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about GlucaGen, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• GlucaGen is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about GlucaGen. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More GlucaGen resources

• GlucaGen Side Effects (in more detail)
• GlucaGen Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• GlucaGen Drug Interactions
• GlucaGen Support Group
• 0 Reviews for GlucaGen - Add your own review/rating

Compare GlucaGen with other medications

• Diagnosis and Investigation
• Hypoglycemia