If you have diabetes, your doctor might suggest GlucaGen (glucagon) as a treatment option for you.

GlucaGen is a prescription drug used to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in adults and some children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. (Severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that requires help from another person.) GlucaGen is used on an as-needed basis.

In adults, GlucaGen may also be given before certain diagnostic tests, such as when your doctor needs to examine your digestive tract. This is because GlucaGen can temporarily stop your stomach muscles from moving.

GlucaGen comes as a powder that’s mixed with liquid to make a solution. The drug is given by injection in one of the following forms:

  • GlucaGen HypoKit (a single-dose vial of powder with a single-dose syringe of sterile water), which is used for severe hypoglycemia
  • GlucaGen Diagnostic Kit (a single-dose vial of powder with a single-dose vial of sterile water), which is used before diagnostic tests
  • GlucaGen (a single-dose vial), which is used before diagnostic tests

For more information about GlucaGen, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, GlucaGen can cause mild or serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

You may experience mild or serious side effects during GlucaGen treatment. Examples of GlucaGen’s commonly reported side effects may include:

  • reactions at the injection site*
  • nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • fatigue (low energy)*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with GlucaGen include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using GlucaGen unless your doctor recommends it.

GlucaGen may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the GlucaGen prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with GlucaGen, visit MedWatch.

While serious side effects can occur with GlucaGen treatment, these are rare. The drug isn’t known to cause many serious side effects.

Serious side effects that have been reported with GlucaGen include:

If you develop serious side effects after using GlucaGen, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using GlucaGen. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Learn more about some of the side effects GlucaGen may cause.

Necrolytic migratory erythema

In rare cases, GlucaGen can cause a serious skin rash called necrolytic migratory erythema (NME) when given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. (An IV infusion is an injection into your vein over time.)

Symptoms of NME can include a skin rash with:

  • fluid-filled blisters
  • scaly plaques (patches of skin) that may look red or discolored
  • skin erosions (raw spots)

What might help

If you experience NME during a GlucaGen infusion, it typically goes away once the infusion is stopped. GlucaGen is only given as an infusion in hospitals or health clinics, and you’ll be monitored for NME during your infusion.

If you have questions about your risk of NME, talk with your doctor.

Reactions at the injection site

GlucaGen comes as a solution (a type of liquid mixture) that can be injected into the buttocks, thighs, or upper arms. Some people may experience reactions at the injection site.

It’s not known how often injection site reactions occur in people using GlucaGen. But these reactions are usually mild and typically go away on their own.

Symptoms of an injection site reaction can include:

  • bleeding
  • pain
  • skin rash or skin that’s red or discolored
  • swelling

What might help

Reactions at the injection site should go away on their own after a few hours or days. Using a cold compress or ice pack may help with pain or swelling.

If you experience injection site reactions that don’t go away after receiving a dose of GlucaGen, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely want to examine your symptoms more closely.

Fatigue

You may experience fatigue (low energy) after a dose of GlucaGen. It’s not known how common this side effect is, but it has been reported in people taking GlucaGen.

It’s important to note that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), the condition GlucaGen is used to treat, can also cause fatigue. Because GlucaGen is used only as needed, it may be hard to tell if fatigue is due to GlucaGen, low blood sugar, or both.

What might help

It’s not unusual to feel fatigue after receiving a GlucaGen dose. This side effect should go away on its own within a few hours or days. Because GlucaGen is used only as needed, it shouldn’t cause long-term fatigue.

But if you experience fatigue that doesn’t go away after a GlucaGen dose, talk with your doctor. They will likely want to see you in person for an exam.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, GlucaGen can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But it’s not known how often this side effect has been reported by people using the medication.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms.

If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to GlucaGen, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to GlucaGen, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your GlucaGen treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects you’re having. Then, you can share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful to do when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon after starting that dose you had the side effect
  • what your symptoms were from the side effect
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were also taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help your doctor learn more about how GlucaGen affects you. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about GlucaGen’s side effects.

Can taking GlucaGen cause unusual bleeding or bruising?

No, GlucaGen shouldn’t cause unusual bleeding or bruising. These side effects weren’t seen in people using GlucaGen in studies.

But you may have unusual bleeding or bruising if you use GlucaGen along with Jantoven (warfarin). Warfarin can cause unusual bleeding or bruising, and your risk for these side effects may be higher if you also use GlucaGen.

If you take warfarin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your risk for unusual bleeding or bruising. They may monitor you more closely for these side effects during your GlucaGen treatment.

Is GlucaGen safe to use?

In general, yes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found GlucaGen generally safe to use. Although GlucaGen can cause some mild side effects, these usually go away on their own within a few hours or days. Only a few serious side effects have been reported with GlucaGen use, and these are very rare.

However, people with certain conditions or other health factors shouldn’t use GlucaGen. For more information, see “Warnings for GlucaGen” below.

If you have questions about whether GlucaGen is safe for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can taking GlucaGen cause long-term side effects?

No, long-term side effects haven’t been reported with GlucaGen use.

Keep in mind that GlucaGen is used on an as-needed basis. You won’t use this medication every day. Side effects from GlucaGen usually go away on their own within a few hours or days.

If you have questions about the long-term safety of using GlucaGen, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

GlucaGen may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take GlucaGen. The list below includes factors to consider.

Certain tumors. Doctors typically won’t prescribe GlucaGen if you have certain tumors. These include insulinoma or pheochromocytoma. Using GlucaGen when you have either of these types of tumors can cause serious side effects, including dangerously high blood pressure or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Talk with your doctor about alternatives to GlucaGen that may be safer for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to GlucaGen or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe GlucaGen. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol use and GlucaGen

If you receive a dose of GlucaGen, you should not drink alcohol afterward. Both GlucaGen and alcohol can affect your blood sugar levels. Drinking alcohol after receiving a GlucaGen dose may make GlucaGen less effective.

Keep in mind that GlucaGen is only used as needed to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you aren’t experiencing hypoglycemia, it’s generally safe to drink alcohol if you’re prescribed GlucaGen.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about an amount that may be safe to drink with your condition and with any other diabetes medications you’re using.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking GlucaGen

GlucaGen is thought to be safe to use while pregnant. There have been no reports of complications when used during pregnancy.

It’s not known if GlucaGen passes into breast milk, but it’s not expected to cause side effects in a breastfed child.

In general, GlucaGen is typically safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. But talk with your doctor to be sure that the medication is safe for you. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits with you.

GlucaGen is a medication that’s used as needed to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with diabetes. As with all drugs, GlucaGen may cause side effects in some people.

Before using GlucaGen, talk with your doctor. Ask questions that will help you feel comfortable about using GlucaGen. Some examples to help get you started include:

  • If I have side effects from GlucaGen, are there other treatments I can try instead?
  • Will eating food after taking a dose of GlucaGen help lower my risk of side effects?
  • Is it safe to drive or operate machinery after I use GlucaGen?

Q:

Are there other medications that can raise my risk of side effects if I use them with GlucaGen?

Anonymous

A:

Yes, certain drugs can increase your risk of side effects if you take them with GlucaGen. These medications include:

Using these medications with GlucaGen may raise your risk of certain side effects from either drug, including digestive problems or increased blood pressure. It could also make GlucaGen less effective.

Before being prescribed GlucaGen, talk with your doctor about any medications you currently take.

Dena Westphalen, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.