Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 16, 2022.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Glucagen
- Glucagen Diagnostic Kit
- Glucagon
- Glucagon Diagnostic Kit
- Glucagon Emergency Kit
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Solution
Therapeutic Class: Glucose Regulation, Antihypoglycemic
Uses for glucagon
Glucagon injection is an emergency medicine used to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in diabetes patients treated with insulin who have passed out or cannot take some form of sugar by mouth.
Glucagon injection is also used as a diagnostic aid during X-ray tests of the stomach and bowels. This is to improve test results by relaxing the muscles of the stomach and bowels.
Glucagon is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using glucagon
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For glucagon, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to glucagon or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of GlucaGen® to treat severe hypoglycemia in children. However, safety and efficacy of glucagon injection have not been established to be used as a diagnostic aid.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Gvoke® to treat severe hypoglycemia in children 2 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of Gvoke® have not been performed in the geriatric population. However, no geriatric-specific problems have been document...
