Glucagon intravenous for adults

Who can administer

May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife

Usually given by the subcutaneous or intramuscular route for the treatment of severe hypoglycaemia reactions
Please ensure additional supplies are ordered by pharmacy if large doses by infusion are being administered
Protect the airway in case of vomiting
Equivalencies: a 1mg dose is the same as 1 unit

Glucagen Hypokit 1mg

Add 1.1mL water for injection (provided) to the vial containing the powder to produce a 1mg/1mL solution
Shake gently until completely dissolved
A syringe with a thinner needle and a finer graduation may be more suitable in diagnostic procedures

Glucose 5%

Bolus intravenous injection ^{(ref 2)}

Slow intravenous injection (when used as a diagnostic aid)^{(ref 1)}

Administer over at least 3 minutes
Rapid injection may be associated with increased nausea and vomiting ^{(ref 2,3)}

Intermittent intravenous infusion (unlicensed) ^{(ref 1)}

There is no recommended final volume/concentration for dilution. It is usually convenient to dilute in 100 or 250mL, but larger or smaller volumes can be used if necessary

Severe hypoglycaemia

Diagnostic indication (inhibition of gastrointestinal motility)

Relaxation of stomach, duodenal bulb, duodenum and small bowel: 0.2 to 0.5mg as intravenous injection
Relaxation of colon: 0.5 to 0.75mg as intravenous injection
Higher doses may be given for these indications if by the intramuscular route- see SPC

Severe hypotension, heart failure, cardiogenic shock (unlicensed) ^{(ref 2)}

Give 5 to 10 mg as an IV bolus over 1 to 2 minutes
If haemodynamic improvement is achieved with this dose, consider an infusion of 50-150 micrograms/kg/hour, (0.05 to 0.15mg/kg/hour), titrated to clinical response
Limited evidence is available for the use of doses in excess of 10 mg/hour
The reconstituted solution for IV infusion can be administered without further dilution, or may be diluted with glucose 5%

Renal or hepatic impairment

Store in a refrigerator between 2 and 8⁰C - for full shelf life of product
May be stored at room temperature for up to 18 months (providing the expiry date is not exceeded)

SPC February 2023
1: Injectable medicines guide - Medusa, downloaded 07/01/2025
2: Toxbase, accessed online 11/02/2025

Glycogenolytic hormone