Type of medicine: antihypoglycemic (antidote for low blood sugar); diagnostic agent
Generic and brand names: glucagon rDNA, injection; GlucaGen; Glucagon Diagnostic; Glucagon Emergency Kit
This medicine is given by injection (shots) to treat severe hypoglycemia (not enough sugar in the blood).
This medicine may also be used to slow down the activity of the intestines during X-rays. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you are able, you should eat some sugar (in the form of candy or fruit juice) before you have this shot. A person who is unconscious because of hypoglycemia should have this shot as quickly as possible.
Sometimes you can give yourself a shot of this medicine, but usually a family member or friend will give it to you. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Read carefully the instructions that come with this medicine. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. Family members or friends should also understand the instructions and be prepared to give you a shot if you are unable to give it to yourself.
This medicine comes as a powder and liquid. Mix the powder and liquid together just before each shot. Do not mix the powder with any other liquid. Do not mix more than 1 unit of the powder with each milliliter of liquid. Use a solution only if it is clear and has the consistency of water. Do not use any solution that has solid particles in it. After each shot, discard any solution left over. Use disposable syringes only once. Dispose of syringes and needles properly so they will not be a hazard to others.
Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Inject the amount prescribed by your healthcare provider. The dosage will be lower for small children than it is for larger children or adults. Read the instructions that come with this medicine so that you will know what to do. If you are confused, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for directions.
After the injection, turn the person on his or her side to prevent choking. If the person does not respond in 15 minutes, give a second dose and call 911.
Right after you have a shot of this medicine and start to feel better, you may need to eat a fast-acting source of sugar (such as a regular soft drink or fruit juice) and a long-acting source of sugar (such as crackers and cheese or a meat sandwich). Discuss this with your healthcare provider during a checkup.
This medicine should not be mixed after the expiration date. Check the date regularly and replace the medicine before it expires.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, constipation, dizziness, fainting, fast heartbeat.
To help prevent hypoglycemia, follow carefully the diet and exercise program prescribed by your healthcare provider. Also, take your doses of insulin exactly as prescribed each day. Your healthcare provider will want you to test the sugar levels in your blood or urine regularly to see if you are getting the right amount of insulin.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you miss or delay meals, drink too much alcohol, take too much medicine, or exercise more than usual. Symptoms of low blood sugar include confusion, shaking, weakness, strong hunger, cold sweats, headache, nausea, vision problems, and feeling faint. Treat the condition quickly by eating or drinking something with sugar in it such as candy, juice, or nondiet soda. Taking glucose tablets or gels (available in drug stores) is another quick way to treat hypoglycemia. Be sure to talk about this with your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider when you have had a hypoglycemic reaction. Your treatment may need to be adjusted. You may need to carry identification that can inform others that you have diabetes and keep a glucagon kit with you at all times.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat.
Other: Nausea and vomiting (which can occur with hypoglycemia itself), flushing of the face.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Make sure someone else knows where you keep this medicine.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
