GlucaGen Hypokit (Glucagon Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is GlucaGen Hypokit Used For?
GlucaGen Hypokit contains glucagon, a natural hormone that works opposite to insulin in your body. It helps convert stored sugar (glycogen) in your liver into glucose, which is then released into your bloodstream to raise blood sugar levels.
Primary Uses
GlucaGen Hypokit is used to treat severe hypoglycemia (extremely low blood sugar levels or ‘hypos’) in people with diabetes who use insulin or take diabetes tablets and have become unconscious. It’s also used during medical tests of the digestive system to relax stomach and bowel movements, and to test how well insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are working.
How It Works
Glucagon is a natural hormone that has the opposite effect to insulin. It helps your body convert glycogen into glucose in the liver, then releases this glucose into your bloodstream. This means GlucaGen Hypokit will only work if you have glycogen stores in your liver. It also reduces digestive system muscle movements and stimulates insulin production by pancreatic beta cells.
Important: GlucaGen Hypokit will only work if there are glucose stores (glycogen) in your liver. It won’t work if you’ve been fasting, have chronic hypoglycemia, or if your low blood sugar is caused by drinking too much alcohol.
How to Take GlucaGen Hypokit
GlucaGen Hypokit comes as a freeze-dried powder that must be dissolved in the water provided, then injected under the skin or into a muscle. This is an emergency medication that should be given by someone trained in its use when a diabetic person becomes unconscious from severe low blood sugar.
Dosage Instructions
For severe hypoglycemia: Adults and children over 25 kg should receive the full dose (1 mL). Children under 25 kg should receive half the dose (0.5 mL). Inject into fatty tissue under the skin of the thigh, buttocks, or upper arm. The person will normally respond within 10 minutes. Once conscious, give sugary food or drink to prevent relapse. For medical procedures: Your doctor will determine the dose based on your weight and the type of test, typically ranging from 0.2-2 mg.
Preparation Steps
1. Remove plastic caps from vial and needle cover from syringe. 2. Insert needle through rubber stopper and inject all water into vial. 3. Gently shake until powder completely dissolves and solution is clear. 4. Draw all solution back into syringe, removing air bubbles. 5. Inject immediately – do not store prepared solution.
Emergency Use Only: This medication is for emergency use when someone with diabetes becomes unconscious from severe low blood sugar. Make sure family members, friends, or caregivers know how to use it and where it’s kept before an emergency happens.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- skin changes at injection site
- mild to moderate hypoglycemia after treatment
- temporarily increased blood pressure
- decreased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- decreased heart rate
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- allergic reaction (wheezing, sweating, rapid heart beat, rash, swollen face, collapse)
- hypoglycemic coma
- heart attacks
Important Warnings
GlucaGen Hypokit has important safety considerations and should not be used by everyone. Certain medical conditions can make it ineffective or dangerous.
Who Should Not Take GlucaGen Hypokit
Do not use if you have: pheochromocytoma (rare adrenal gland tumor that raises blood pressure), glucagonoma (pancreatic tumor causing high glucagon levels), insulinoma (tumor causing high insulin levels), or allergies to glucagon or any ingredients in the product.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, heart conditions, have been fasting for long periods, have low adrenaline levels, chronic hypoglycemia, or are taking sulfonylurea diabetes tablets. GlucaGen won’t work properly in these situations or may require special monitoring.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
GlucaGen does not cross the placenta and may be used to treat severe hypoglycemia during pregnancy. While breastfeeding, very small amounts may reach breast milk, but any glucagon will be broken down in the baby’s digestive system, making it harmless. Breastfeeding after treatment does not put your baby at risk.
Medical Emergency: Always seek medical help for an unconscious person, even after giving GlucaGen. Do not give food or drinks to someone who is unconscious as they could choke.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how GlucaGen Hypokit works or may be affected by it. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
Important: Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on what to do if you need to use GlucaGen Hypokit while taking other medications.
- warfarin (blood thinner)
- beta-blockers (for high blood pressure or heart conditions)
- insulin (diabetes medication)
- indomethacin (anti-inflammatory for arthritis)
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol and the effects of severe hypoglycemia can impair your ability to drive safely or operate machinery.
Alcohol
Glucagon will not work if your hypoglycemia is caused by excessive alcohol intake. Alcohol can interfere with the medication’s effectiveness.
Driving and Operating Machinery
If you are still experiencing effects after a severe hypoglycemic episode, do not drive or operate machinery until you have fully recovered.
Storage
Store GlucaGen Hypokit at room temperature (less than 25°C). Avoid freezing to prevent damage to the glass syringe. Keep the powder vial in its original package to protect from light. Check the expiry date regularly to ensure it hasn’t expired in case of emergency. Once prepared, use immediately – the solution cannot be stored for later use. Use once only and discard any leftover solution. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think too much GlucaGen has been used, seek immediate medical attention. Contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia) or 0800 764 766 (New Zealand), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose may cause nausea and vomiting, decreased blood potassium levels, and patients on beta-blocker medications may experience a temporary increase in blood pressure. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
The person will normally respond within 10 minutes of the glucagon injection. Once they regain consciousness, give them sugary food or drink to help prevent relapse.
No, once the powder is mixed with water, it must be used immediately. The solution is unstable and cannot be stored for later use. Use once only and discard any leftover solution.
Always seek medical help for the unconscious person, even after giving the injection. Once they regain consciousness, give them sugary food or drink to restore liver glucose stores and prevent secondary hypoglycemia.
GlucaGen won’t work if the person has been fasting for a long time, has low adrenaline levels, chronic hypoglycemia, or if their low blood sugar is caused by drinking too much alcohol. It only works if there are glycogen stores in the liver.
Family members, friends, caregivers, or coworkers should know how to use GlucaGen and where it’s kept before an emergency arises. Make sure they know not to give food or drinks to an unconscious person.
Store at room temperature (less than 25°C) and avoid freezing. Keep the powder vial in its original package to protect from light. Check the expiry date regularly and replace if expired.
Yes, GlucaGen does not cross the placenta and may be used to treat severe hypoglycemia during pregnancy. It’s also safe while breastfeeding as any glucagon in breast milk will be broken down in the baby’s digestive system.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.