Glucagen (Glucagon)

Glucagen is indicated for the rapid treatment of severe hypoglycemia when oral glucose administration is not feasible or effective.

• Emergency treatment of insulin‑induced hypoglycemia in adults and children.
• Management of hypoglycemia caused by sulfonylurea overdose.
• Use in patients with adrenal insufficiency who develop hypoglycemic episodes.
• Administration during diagnostic procedures that may provoke low blood glucose, such as oral glucose tolerance tests.

The safety profile of Glucagen includes both common, generally mild reactions and rare, potentially serious events.

Common

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Flushing or warmth at the injection site.
• Headache.
• Transient rise in blood pressure.

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) with rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
• Cardiac arrhythmias or rapid heart rate.
• Persistent hyperglycemia requiring medical attention.

Before using Glucagen, healthcare providers should consider several precautionary measures to ensure safe administration.

• Verify the patient’s diagnosis of hypoglycemia and assess the need for injectable glucagon.
• Use only with a new, sterile needle and syringe for each dose.
• Avoid administration in patients with known hypersensitivity to glucagon or any excipients.
• Monitor blood glucose levels after injection to confirm response.
• Be cautious in patients with pheochromocytoma or severe cardiovascular disease.
• Do not use in patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding unless the benefit outweighs the risk (category unknown).

Glucagen may interact with other medications, influencing its effectiveness or increasing the risk of adverse effects.

Avoid

• Concurrent use of beta‑blockers, which may mask typical glucagon‑induced tachycardia.
• Combination with insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) that could precipitate recurrent hypoglycemia after glucagon wears off.

Use with caution

• Patients receiving catecholamines or other vasopressors, as glucagon can augment cardiovascular effects.
• Individuals on oral anticoagulants, because rapid glucose shifts may affect coagulation parameters.
• Use in conjunction with other peptide hormones, monitoring for additive hemodynamic changes.