GlucaGen injection

Generic name: Glucagon (injection)
Drug class: Glucose elevating agents

Usage of GlucaGen injection

GlucaGen is a hormone that increases blood sugar levels. It also slows involuntary muscle movements of the stomach and intestines that aid in digestion.

GlucaGen is used to treat hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This medicine is also used during a radiologic (x-ray) examination to help diagnose certain disorders of the stomach or intestines.

GlucaGen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

GlucaGen injection side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; fast or slow heartbeat; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of the following skin changes on your face, legs, groin, or genital area:

redness;

itching;

blistering;

crusting, scaling; or

other skin sores or lesions.

Common side effects of GlucaGen may include:

nausea, vomiting; or

swelling where an injection was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking GlucaGen injection

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to GlucaGen or lactose, or if you have:

a tumor of the pancreas (insulinoma); or

a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma).

GlucaGen should be used to treat hypoglycemia only if the person is unable to eat, or is unconscious or having a seizure.

Tell your doctor if:

you have any tumor of the pancreas;

you have not recently eaten on a regular basis; or

you have chronic low blood sugar.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

GlucaGen is not expected to harm an unborn baby, but quickly treating hypoglycemia would outweigh any risks posed by using this medicine.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

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How to use GlucaGen injection

Hypoglycemia should be treated as quickly as possible. Having low blood sugar for too long can cause seizure, coma, or death.

GlucaGen is injected under the skin, into a muscle, or into a vein. You will be shown how to use emergency this medicines for severe hypoglycemia. Call your doctor after each time you use a this medicine.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Be sure you know how to give a GlucaGen before you need to use it. The correct dose for a child is lower than an adult dose. A child's dose may also be based on how much the child weighs. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

You may need to mix GlucaGen with a liquid (diluent) before using it. When using injections by yourself, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

After the injection, you should eat a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, glucose gel, hard candy, raisins, or non-diet soda) and then eat a snack or small meal such as cheese and crackers or a meat sandwich.

If you are a caregiver, get emergency medical help after giving a GlucaGen. If the patient does not improve within 15 minutes, you may need to mix a new dose and give a second injection.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

To keep from having severe hypoglycemia, follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Store GlucaGen and any diluent at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Throw away any mixed medicine you have not used right away. Do not use GlucaGen after the expiration date on the label has passed.

Store the auto-injector or prefilled syringe in the foil pouch and use the medicine right away after opening.

Warnings

GlucaGen should be used to treat hypoglycemia only if the person cannot eat, passes out, or is having a seizure. Be sure you know how to give a this medicine before you need to use it. Hypoglycemia should be treated as quickly as possible. Having low blood sugar for too long can cause seizure, coma, or death.

You should not use GlucaGen if you are allergic to GlucaGen or lactose, or if you have a tumor of the pancreas (insulinoma) or adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma).

What other drugs will affect GlucaGen injection

Many other medicines can affect your blood sugar, and some medicines can increase or decrease the effects of medicines used to treat diabetes. Some drugs can also cause you to have fewer symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it harder to tell when your blood sugar is low. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all medicines you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.