Glucagon: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Glucagon?

What is glucagon used for?

Glucagon is a synthetic hormone from the hormone glucagon which is also produced in the pancreas. The way glucagon works is to increase blood sugar levels.

This drug is usually used to treat hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. This medication is used during radiology tests to help diagnose several health conditions of the stomach and intestines.

In addition, this drug can also slow down the movement of the stomach and intestinal muscles which play an important role in the digestive process.

This drug is in the form of a powder that is used by injection into the body. Glucagon is a prescription drug, so you can't buy it at the pharmacy without a prescription from your doctor.

How do I use glucagon?

The following are some of the things you should pay attention to when using glucagon, including:

• Glucagon is injected under the skin, in a muscle, or into a vein.
• Read and understand the use of this drug. The reason is, this drug cannot be used carelessly because it must be injected into the body.
• If your blood sugar levels drop frequently, it's best to take this medicine with you wherever you go, just in case.
• Make sure your family or close friends know how to help you in an emergency.
• After using this medicine, immediately eat foods that contain sugar such as fruit juices, candy, soda, cheese, biscuits, and other sweet foods.
• To avoid acute hypoglycemia, do a healthy diet, medication, and exercise regularly.
• Make sure you know how to inject glucagon properly before using it.
• Inject half the adult dose in children under 6 years of age, or in people who weigh less than 20 kg.
• Glucagon powder must be mixed with a diluent before use.
• We recommend that you prepare the medicine when it will be used.
• Do not use this medication if the color has changed and there are other particles in it.
• Tell your doctor right away if there are still other particles in the drug after adding a new dose of glucagon.

How is glucagon stored?

As with other medicines, glucagon also has storage rules that you can follow. Among them:

• Store this drug in a place with a cool room temperature.
• Keep it away from places that are damp, too cold or too hot.
• Keep away from direct sunlight and light.
• Also keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Do not store this medication in the bathroom.
• Don't also store it frozen in the freezer.

If you have finished using the medicine, or if the medicine has expired, you should discard this medication. However, dispose of the drug according to the proper and safe way.

Make sure you do not throw out the medicine waste together with other household waste. Also, don't flush it in the toilet or other drains. The reason is, these things can pollute the environment.

Therefore, if you do not know how to properly dispose of medicinal waste, ask your pharmacist or staff from your local waste disposal agency.

Glucagon Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the glucagon dosage for adults?

Adult dosage for hypoglycemia

• 1 mg IM / IV or subcutaneously.
• If the patient does not regain consciousness within 15 minutes, repeat the same dose until medical help arrives.

Adult dosage for diagnosis (examination purposes)

• This drug is very useful for radiographic examinations of the stomach, duodenum, and small intestine.
  • IV: 0.2-0.5 mg IV before the procedure
  • 1 mg IM before procedure.
• This drug is very useful for the examination of the colon.
  • IV: 0.5-0.75 mg IV before the procedure
  • IM: 1-2 mg IM before the procedure

What is the glucagon dosage for children?

Children's dosage for hypoglycemia

• Weight less than 20 kg: 0.5 mg (or 20-30 micrograms (mcg) / kilogram (kg) of body weight given by IM / IV or subcutaneously once used.
• Body weight 20 kg and over: 1 mg given IM / IV or subcutaneously once used.

In what dosage is glucagon available?

Glucagon is available in several doses, including:

Injection powder: 1 mg

Glucagon side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to glucagon?

As with other drug use, glucagon can also cause symptoms of side effects. Usually, these symptoms are related to health conditions, both mild and serious.

Minor side effects that you may experience after using glucagon are:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Skin rash
• Itchy skin

If you experience the side effects above, you don't need to worry because these side effects usually go away on their own. However, the side effects mentioned above do not get better or get worse, contact your doctor.

Meanwhile, serious side effects that may occur due to using glucagon are:

• Hard to breathe
• Loss of consciousness

Call your doctor right away and get medical help if you experience serious side effects.

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. In fact, you may experience no side effect symptoms at all. However, there are some side effects not listed above that you may experience. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Glucagon Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using glucagon?

Before you decide to use glucagon, there are a few things that you should understand first. This includes:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have an allergy to glucagon.
• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any other medicines or foods that are processed with beef and mutton.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist all types of medicines you use, including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, multivitamins, to herbal products.
• Tell your doctor if you have had problems with the adrenal glands, blood vessels, nutritional deficiencies, pancreatic tumors, and pheochromocytoma or rare tumors that appear on the adrenal glands.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Only use this drug if the condition of your blood sugar levels cannot be helped by sweet foods. For example, if you have passed out or have had a seizure.
• After using this drug and you have regained consciousness, contact your doctor immediately. Have your blood sugar level checked every hour for 3-4 hours.

Is glucagon safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or nursing women. However, this drug is not expected to have an adverse effect on pregnant women and the fetus.

Even so, always consult your doctor first to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this drug.

Meanwhile, for nursing mothers, this drug may come out of breast milk (ASI) and accidentally consumed by a breastfeeding baby. Therefore, to determine whether this drug is safe to use or not, check with your doctor first.

Glucagon Drug Interactions

What medicines might interact with glucagon?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

The possible risk of taking glucagon with the list of drugs below is increasing the risk of side effects or changing the way the drug works. However, in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment for your condition.

If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them. Among them:

• acebutolol
• atenolol
• betaxolol
• bisoprolol
• carteolol
• carvedilol
• esmolol
• indomethacin
• labetalol
• levobetaxolol ophthalmic
• metoprolol
• nadolol
• penbutolol
• pindolol
• timolol
• warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with glucagon?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with glucagon?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Diabetes mellitus. When this drug is used to perform X-ray examinations of patients with uncontrolled diabetes, blood sugar will rise or vice versa. glucagon is an important drug for treating hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• Insulinoma (tumor in the pancreas gland that produces large amounts of insulin). Blood sugar concentration will drop.
• Phaeochromocytoma. Glucagon can cause high blood pressure.

Glucagon overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

This drug is not used according to the dosage rules that are consumed routinely. So, maybe you won't miss a certain dose. However, do not increase your dose, as this may create a risk of overdose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.