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Overview: Glucagon is commonly used to increase blood sugar levels in people with dangerously low levels. It can also be used during certain tests to slow down gut movement. Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, or a headache. Make sure that your caregiver knows where you store glucagon and how to use it. To increase blood sugar levels, glucagon must be used as soon as possible once you start to show signs of dangerously low blood sugar levels. Glucagon is available as a shot.

Uses

What is glucagon used for?

Glucagon is commonly used to increase blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with dangerously low glucose levels (severe hypoglycemia). Glucagon is used only during emergencies. Anyone using glucagon should seek medical care right away.

Glucagon is also used during certain tests to temporarily slow down the movement of the digestive system. 

Glucagon may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does glucagon work (mechanism of action)?

To increase blood sugar levels, glucagon works by activating glucagon receptors in the liver. This causes the liver to break down stored sugar (glycogen) and release it into the bloodstream. 

To slow down movement in the gut, glucagon relaxes the muscles in the stomach, small intestine, and colon. 

How is glucagon supplied (dosage forms)?

Glucagon is available as 1 mg per vial (emergency kit for low blood sugar).

Glucagon is also available in injectable forms that are given by a health care provider.

See also: Baqsimi and Gvoke

How should I store glucagon?

Glucagon emergency kit for low blood sugar should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, and do not freeze. Keep in the original package and away from light until it needs to be used. After mixing the glucagon powder and liquid, use it right away.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of glucagon?

The most common side effects of glucagon are listed below. These side effects may vary, depending on the form of glucagon being used and the age of the person using it. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Pain, swelling, or redness at or near where the needle went in
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling unusually weak or tired
  • Paleness
  • Diarrhea
  • Drowsiness

There may be other side effects of glucagon that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of glucagon?

While less common, the most serious side effects of glucagon are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Glucagon may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using glucagon and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use glucagon?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use glucagon.

  • Glucagon
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific glucagon products they stock.

Pheochromocytoma. Glucagon should not be used if you have a certain tumor in the adrenal gland known as a pheochromocytoma. Glucagon may cause your blood pressure to get dangerously high if you have a pheochromocytoma. 

Pancreas Tumors. Glucagon should not be used if you have certain tumors in your pancreas, such as an insulinoma or glucagonoma. Glucagon can cause too much insulin to release from the tumor and your blood sugar to drop too low again.

What should I know about glucagon before using it?

Do not use glucagon unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Make sure that your caregiver knows where you store glucagon and understands how to properly use the medicine. You can share the “Instructions for Use” that come with your medicine to help with this. It must be used as soon as possible once you start to show signs of dangerously low blood sugar, since it can be deadly if not treated. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.

Always get medical help right away after receiving glucagon. Your caregiver should call for emergency help as soon as they have given you a dose of glucagon. Then, once you are conscious and able to safely eat or drink, they should give you a fast-acting source of sugar (fruit juice, etc.) and a long-acting source of sugar (crackers with cheese or peanut butter, etc.) to prevent your blood sugar from dropping again. 

If your blood sugar does not come up 15 minutes after receiving a dose of glucagon, your caregiver may need to give you another dose of glucagon while waiting on emergency help to arrive.

Tell your health care provider each time you use glucagon. They may need to change the dose of your diabetes medicines. 

Do not share glucagon with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep glucagon out of the reach of children.

Glucagon is good for just one use. After a dose is given, throw glucagon in a sharps container or a household container made of heavy-duty plastic that is able to close tightly and is puncture- and leak-resistant. Get a new glucagon device after using the medicine. This way, you will have another one available in case you need it. 

You should also keep an eye on the expiration date of the product you have. Try to get a new one before it expires, so you always have one available in case you need it. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using glucagon?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if glucagon is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Have not had food or water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation)
  • Reduced adrenal function (adrenal insufficiency)
  • Low blood sugar that will not go away (chronic hypoglycemia)
  • Heart problems
  • Diabetes

Other Medicines and Supplements. Glucagon may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using glucagon, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how glucagon could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use glucagon while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if glucagon passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use glucagon while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does glucagon interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between glucagon and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect glucagon.

Does glucagon interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using glucagon.

  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • Indomethacin, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that may be used for pain and swelling
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Insulin, a medicine commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes
  • An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with glucagon. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much glucagon?

If you or someone else has used too much glucagon, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of glucagon?

Glucagon is only used during emergencies or given by a health care provider. If you use glucagon at home, always get medical help right away after using a dose.