Gvoke (glucagon) is a brand-name drug prescribed for extremely low blood sugar from diabetes in adults and some children. Gvoke comes as a subcutaneous injection that’s used as needed.
Gvoke is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) related to diabetes. It’s approved for this use in adults and children ages 2 years and older.
Gvoke belongs to a drug class called glycogenolytics. Gvoke isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Gvoke, including its strengths and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Gvoke, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Gvoke provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Gvoke, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Gvoke’s forms, strengths, and dosages.
Gvoke forms
Gvoke comes as a solution that’s given as a subcutaneous injection. It comes in the following three forms, each containing a single dose of the drug:
- prefilled HypoPen auto-injector
- prefilled syringe
- vial and syringe kit
Gvoke strengths
Gvoke comes in the following strengths:
- HypoPen auto-injector:
- 0.5 milligrams (mg) of glucagon in 0.1 milliliters of solution (0.5 mg/0.1 mL)
- 1 mg/0.2 mL
- prefilled syringe:
- 1 mg/0.2 mL
- vial and syringe kit:
- 1 mg/0.2 mL
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for severe hypoglycemia
Doctors prescribe Gvoke to treat severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar) due to diabetes. It’s used when needed in a diabetic emergency.
The dosage for adults and children ages 12 years and older is typically a single 1-mg injection. A second 1-mg injection may be given 15 minutes after the first dose if the blood sugar level has not increased enough. Your doctor will tell you what your target blood sugar level should be with Gvoke treatment.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Gvoke is approved to treat severe hypoglycemia due to diabetes in children ages 2 years and older.
The dosage for children ages 2–11 years is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). Your child’s doctor will determine the dosage that’s right for them.
The table below lists the typical dosages by body weight for children ages 2–11 years:
| Body weight | Gvoke dosage |
|---|---|
| less than 45 kg (less than about 99 lb) | 0.5 mg, given as a single injection |
| 45 kg or more (about 99 lb or more) | 1 mg, given as a single injection |
The typical dosage for children ages 12 years and older is the same as the adult dosage: a single 1-mg injection.
If your child’s blood sugar has not increased enough after 15 minutes, a repeat dose may be given. The repeat dose is the same as the first dose (0.5 mg or 1 mg).
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Gvoke is used short term as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia. It’s not used on a regular basis. Let your doctor know any time you need to use a dose of Gvoke.
The Gvoke dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- your body weight (for some children)
- how your body responds to Gvoke
- the type and severity of your condition
- other medications you take
- side effects you may have with Gvoke
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Gvoke dosage.
Gvoke comes as a solution in a syringe, HypoPen auto-injector, and vial and syringe kit. Each form is prefilled with a single dose of the drug, which is given as a subcutaneous injection.
With a subcutaneous injection, you or a caregiver will inject the medication under your skin. You’ll use the prefilled syringe, auto-injector, or kit to give yourself (or your child) Gvoke. Make sure to inject Gvoke in the lower abdomen, outer thigh, or outer upper arm according to your prescribed instructions.
You’ll store Gvoke at room temperature (68–77°F or 20–25°C). Make sure that caregivers know where you keep Gvoke and how to give you an injection.
If you have other questions about how to use Gvoke, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor prescribes the Gvoke HypoPen auto-injector, you can refer to the manufacturer’s detailed instructions.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
It’s important that you do not use more Gvoke than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Effects of an overdose
Overdose effects of Gvoke can include:
If you use more than the recommended amount of Gvoke
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Gvoke. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Gvoke.
How long does it take for Gvoke to start working?
Gvoke starts to work immediately after it’s injected. If your blood sugar has not increased enough, a second dose of Gvoke may be given 15 minutes after the first injection.
If you use a dose of Gvoke, call 911 or your local emergency number, even if you feel better. As soon as you’re able, eat a fast-acting source of sugar, such as fruit juice. You should also eat a long-acting source of sugar, such as a meat sandwich or crackers with cheese.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Gvoke treatment.
What is the recommended maximum dosage of Gvoke?
The maximum dosage of Gvoke that’s recommended for adults and children ages 12 years and older is two 1-mg injections, given 15 minutes apart. The maximum recommended dosage of Gvoke for younger children is based on their body weight. You can refer to “Children’s dosage” above for more details.
If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Gvoke, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not change your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Gvoke for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Gvoke without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Gvoke that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Gvoke. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Gvoke: For information about other aspects of Gvoke, refer to this article.
- Details about your condition: For details about hypoglycemia with diabetes, see our diabetes hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.