INFORMATION FOR THE PHYSICIANGLUCAGON FOR INJECTION
Rx Only
DESCRIPTION
Glucagon for Injection (synthetic origin) is a polypeptide hormone identical to human glucagon that increases blood glucose and relaxes smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract. Glucagon is produced by solid state peptide synthesis and is highly purified.
Glucagon is a single-chain polypeptide that contains 29 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 3483.
The empirical formula is C153H225SN43O49S. The primary sequence of glucagon is shown below.
Crystalline glucagon (synthetic origin) is a white to off-white powder. It is relatively insoluble in water but is soluble at a pH of less than 3 or more than 9.5.
Glucagon is available for use intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously in a kit that contains a vial of sterile glucagon and a syringe of sterile diluent. The vial contains 1 mg of glucagon and 49 mg of lactose. Hydrochloric acid may have been added during manufacture to adjust the pH of the glucagon. One International Unit of glucagon is equivalent to 1 mg of glucagon.1 The diluent syringe contains 12 mg/mL of glycerin, Water For Injection, and hydrochloric acid.
Sequence
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Glucagon increases blood glucose concentration and is used in the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. Glucagon acts only on liver glycogen, converting it to glucose.
Glucagon administered through a parenteral route relaxes smooth muscle of the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, and colon.
Pharmacokinetics
Glucagon has been studied following intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous administration in adult volunteers. Administration of the intravenous glucagon showed dose proportionality of the pharmacokinetics between 0.25 and 2.0 mg. Calculations from a 1 mg dose showed a small volume of distribution (mean, 0.25 L/kg) and a moderate clearance (mean, 13.5 mL/min/kg). The half-life was short, ranging from 8 to 18 minutes.
Maximum plasma concentrations of 7.9 ng/mL were achieved approximately 20 minutes after subcutaneous administration (see Figure 1A). With intramuscular dosing, maximum plasma concentrations of 6.9 ng/mL were attained approximately 13 minutes after dosing. Glucagon is extensively degraded in liver, kidney, and plasma. Urinary excretion of intact glucagon has not been measured.
Pharmacokinetics
In a study of 25 volunteers, a subcutaneous dose of 1 mg glucagon resulted in a mean peak glucose concentration of 136 mg/dL 30 minutes after injection (see Figure 1B). Similarly, following intramuscular injection, the mean peak glucose level was 138 mg/dL, which occurred at 26 minutes after injection. No difference in maximum blood glucose concentration between animal-sourced and rDNA glucagon was observed after subcutaneous and intramuscular injection.
Figure 1
Mean ( SE) serum glucagon and blood glucose levels after subcutaneous injection of glucagon (1mg) in 25 normal volunteers
A
B
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
For the treatment of severe hypoglycemia:
Glucagon is indicated as a treatment for severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which may occur in patients with diabetes mellitus.Because patients with type 1 diabetes may have less of an increase in blood glucose levels compared with a stable type 2 patient, supplementary carbohydrate should be given as soon as possible, especially to a pediatric patient.
For use as a diagnostic aid:
Glucagon is indicated as a diagnostic aid in the radiologic examination of the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, and colon when diminished intestinal motility would be advantageous.
Glucagon is as effective for this examination as are the anticholinergic drugs. However, as use of glucagon in combination with anticholinergic drugs may result in increased side effects, the use of glucagon in combination with anticholinergic drugs is not recommended.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Glucagon is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to it or in patients with known pheochromocytoma.
WARNINGS
Glucagon should be administered cautiously to patients with a history suggestive of insulinoma, pheochromocytoma, or both. In patients with insulinoma, intravenous administration of glucagon may produce an initial increase in blood glucose; however, because of glucagons hyperglycemic effect the insulinoma may release insulin and cause subsequent hypoglycemia. A patient developing symptoms of hypoglycemia after a dose of glucagon should be given glucose orally, intravenously, or by gavage, whichever is most appropriate.
Exogenous glucagon also stimulates the release of catecholamines. In the presence of pheochromocytoma, glucagon can cause the tumor to release catecholamines, which may result in a sudden and marked increase in blood pressure. If a patient develops a sudden increase in blood pressure, 5 to 10 mg of phentolamine mesylate may be administered intravenously in an attempt to control the blood pressure.Generalized allergic reactions, including urticaria, respiratory distress, and hypotension, have been reported in patients who received glucagon by injection.
Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), a skin rash commonly associated with glucagonomas (glucagon-producing tumors) and characterized by scaly, pruritic erythematous plaques, bullae, and erosions, has been reported postmarketing following continuous glucagon infusion. NME lesions may affect the face, groin, perineum and legs or be more widespread. In the reported cases NME resolved with discontinuation of the glucagon, and treatment with corticosteroids was not effective. Should NME occur, consider whether the benefits of continuous glucagon infusion outweigh the risks.
PRECAUTIONS
General
Glucagon is effective in treating hypoglycemia only if sufficient liver glycogen is present. Because glucagon is of little or no help in states of starvation, adrenal insufficiency, or chronic hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia in these conditions should be treated with glucose.
Information for Patients
Refer patients and family members to the attached Information for the User for instructions describing the method of preparing and injecting glucagon. Advise the patient and family members to become familiar with the technique of preparing glucagon before an emergency arises. Instruct patients to use 1 mg for adults and
the adult dose (0.5 mg) for pediatric patients weighing less than 44 lb (20 kg).Patients and family members should be informed of the following measures to prevent hypoglycemic reactions due to insulin:
Reasonable uniformity from day to day with regard to diet, insulin, and exercise.
Careful adjustment of the insulin program so that the type (or types) of insulin, dose, and time (or times) of administration are suited to the individual patient.
Frequent testing of the blood or urine for glucose so that a change in insulin requirements can be foreseen.
Routine carrying of sugar, candy, or other readily absorbable carbohydrate by the patient so that it may be taken at the first warning of an oncoming reaction..
To prevent severe hypoglycemia, patients and family members should be informed of the symptoms of mild hypoglycemia and how to treat it appropriately.
Family members should be informed to arouse the patient as quickly as possible because prolonged hypoglycemia may result in damage to the central nervous system. Glucagon or intravenous glucose should awaken the patient sufficiently so that oral carbohydrates may be taken.Patients should be advised to inform their physician when hypoglycemic reactions occur so that the treatment regimen may be adjusted if necessary.
Laboratory Tests
Blood glucose determinations should be obtained to follow the patient with hypoglycemia until patient is asymptomatic.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Because glucagon is usually given in a single dose and has a very short half-life, no studies have beendone regarding carcinogenesis. In a series of studies examining effects on the bacterial mutagenesis (Ames) assay, it was determined that an increase in colony counts was related to technical difficulties in running this assay with peptides and was not due to mutagenic activities of the glucagon.
Reproduction studies have been performed in rats at doses up to 2 mg/kg glucagon administered two times a day (up to 40 times the human dose based on body surface area, mg/m2) and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility.
Pregnancy
Reproduction studies have not been performed with recombinant glucagon. However, studies with animal sourced glucagon were performed in rats at doses up to 2 mg/kg glucagon administered two times a day (up to 40 times the human dose based on body surface area, mg/m2), and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to glucagon. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when glucagon is administered to a nursing woman. If the drug is excreted in human milk during its short half-life, it will be hydrolyzed and absorbed like any other polypeptide. Glucagon is not active when taken orally because it is destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract before it can be absorbed.
Pediatric Use
For the treatment of severe hypoglycemia: The use of glucagon in pediatric patients has been reported to be safe and effective.2-6
For use as a diagnostic aid: Effectiveness has not been established in pediatric patients.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of glucagon did not include sufficient whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Side effects may include nausea and vomiting. These reactions may also occur with hypoglycemia.Generalized allergic reactions have been reported (see WARNINGS). In a three month controlled study of 75 volunteers comparing animal-sourced glucagon with glucagon manufactured through rDNA technology, no glucagon-specific antibodies were detected in eithertreatment group.
Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) cases have been reported postmarketing in patients receiving continuous infusions of glucagon (see WARNINGS).
OVERDOSAGE
Signs and Symptoms - If overdosage occurs, nausea, vomiting, gastric hypotonicity, and diarrhea would be expected without causing consequential toxicity.
Intravenous administration of glucagon has been shown to have positive inotropic and chronotropic effects. A transient increase in both blood pressure and pulse rate may occur following the administration of glucagon. Patients taking -blockers might be expected to havea greater increase in both pulse and blood pressure, an increase of which will be transient because of glucagons short half-life. The increase in blood pressure and pulse rate may require therapy in patients with pheochromocytoma or coronary artery disease.
When glucagon was given in large doses to patients with cardiac disease, investigators reported a positive inotropic effect. These investigators administered glucagon in doses of 0.5 to 16 mg/hour by continuous infusion for periods of 5 to 166 hours. Total doses ranged from 25 to 996 mg, and a 21-month-old infant received approximately 8.25 mg in 165 hours. Side effects included nausea, vomiting, and decreasing serum potassium concentration. Serum potassium concentration could be maintained within normal limits with supplemental potassium.
The intravenous median lethal dose for glucagon in mice and rats is approximately 300 mg/kg and 38.6 mg/ kg, respectively.
Because glucagon is a polypeptide, it would be rapidly destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract if it were to be accidentally ingested.
Treatment---To obtain up-to-date information about the treatment of overdose, a good resource is your certified Regional Poison Control Center. Telephone numbers of certified poison control centers are listed in the Physicians Desk Reference (PDR). In managing overdosage, consider the possibility of multiple drug overdoses, interaction among drugs, and unusual drug kinetics in your patient.
In view of the extremely short half-life of glucagon and its prompt destruction and excretion, the treatment of overdosage is symptomatic, primarily for nausea, vomiting, and possible hypokalemia.
If the patient develops a dramatic increase in blood pressure, 5 to 10 mg of phentolamine mesylate has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure for the short time that control would be needed.
Forced diuresis, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, or charcoal hemoperfusion have not been established as beneficial for an overdose of glucagon.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
General Instructions for Use:
The diluent is provided for use only in the preparation of glucagon for parenteral injection and for no other use.
Glucagon should not be used at concentrations greater than 1 mg/mL.
Reconstituted glucagon should be used immediately. Discard any unused portion.
Reconstituted glucagon solutions should be used only if they are clear and of a water-like consistency.
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration.
Directions for Treatment of Severe Hypoglycemia:
Severe hypoglycemia should be treated initially with intravenous glucose, if possible.
If parenteral glucose can not be used, dissolve the lyophilized glucagon using the accompanying diluting solution and use immediately.
For adults and for pediatric patients weighing more than 44 lb (20 kg), give 1 mg by subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous injection.
For pediatric patients weighing less than 44 lb (20 kg), give 0.5 mg or a dose equivalent to 20 to 30 mcg/kg.2-6
Discard any unused portion.
An unconscious patient will usually awaken within 15 minutes following the glucagon injection. If the response is delayed, there is no contraindication to the administration of an additional dose of glucagon; however, in view of the deleterious effects of cerebral hypoglycemia emergency aid should be sought so that parenteral glucose can be given.
After the patient responds, supplemental carbohydrate should be given to restore liver glycogen and to prevent secondary hypoglycemia.
Directions for Use as a Diagnostic Aid:
Dissolve the lyophilized glucagon using the accompanying diluting solution and use immediately.Discard any unused portion.The doses in the following table may be administered for relaxation of the stomach, duodenum, and small bowel, depending on the onset and duration of effect required for the examination. Since the stomach is less sensitive to the effect of glucagon, 0.5 mg intravenous or 2 mgintramuscular are recommended.
* Administration of 2mg (2units) doses produces a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting than do lower doses.
Dose
Route of Administration
Time of Onset of Action
Approximate Duration of Effect
0.25-0.5mg (0.25-0.5units)
IV
1minute
9-17minutes
1-mg (1unit)
IM
8-10 minutes
12-27 minutes
2mg* (2units)
IV
1minute
22-25 minutes
2mg* (2units)
IM
4-7 minutes
21-32 minutes
For examination of the colon, it is recommended that a 2 mg (2 units) dose be administered intramuscularly approximately 10 minutes prior to the procedure. Colon relaxation and reduction of patient discomfort may allow the radiologist to perform a more satisfactory examination.
HOW SUPPLIED
Glucagon Emergency Kit for Low Blood Sugar (Glucagon for Injection) contains:
1 mg glucagon for injection (as a sterile, lyophilized whiteto off-white powder) in a single-dose vial and 1 mL of diluent for glucagon in a prefilled syringe.NDC 0548-5850-00
Stability and Storage:
Before Reconstitution - Vials of glucagon, as well as the diluent for glucagon, may be stored at controlled room temperature 20 to 25C (68 to 77F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature.]
The USP defines controlled room temperature by the following: A temperature maintained thermostatically that encompasses the usual and customary working environment of 20 to 25C (68 to 77F); that results in a mean kinetic temperature calculated to be not more than 25C; and that allows for excursions between 15 and 30C (59 and 86F) that are experienced in pharmacies, hospitals, and warehouses.
After Reconstitution - Glucagon for Injection should beused immediately. Discard any unused portion.
REFERENCES
Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. 18th ed. Rockville, Maryland: The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc; 1998; I: 1512.
Gibbs et al: Use of glucagon to terminate insulin reactions in diabetic children. Nebr Med J
1958;43:56-57.
Cornblath M, et al: Studies of carbohydrate metabolism in the newborn: Effect of glucagon on concentration of sugar in capillary blood of newborn infant. Pediatrics
1958;21 :885-892.
Carson MJ, Koch R: Clinical studies with glucagon in children. J Pediatr
1955;47:161-170.
Shipp JC, et al: Treatment of insulin hypoglycemia in diabetic campers. Diabetes
1964; 13 :645-648.
Aman J, Wranne L: Hypoglycemia in childhood diabetes II: Effect of subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of different doses of glucagon. Acta Pediatr Scand
1988;77:548-553.
Literature revised October 2019
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2019Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 U.S.A.Rev. 10/19