Gvoke (glucagon) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for severe low blood sugar in certain people with diabetes. As with other drugs, Gvoke can cause side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
Gvoke can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Gvoke in clinical trials:
- abdominal pain
- headache
- nausea and vomiting*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Gvoke use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Gvoke’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Gvoke include:
- headache
- injection site reactions*
- nausea and vomiting*
- mild allergic reaction†
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Gvoke and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Gvoke. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Gvoke may cause serious side effects, although they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Gvoke’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while using Gvoke, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Necrolytic migratory erythema (a severe skin rash). Symptoms may include:
- skin rash
- blistering and peeling skin
- High blood pressure.
- Severe allergic reaction.†
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Gvoke. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Gvoke is approved to treat severe low blood sugar in children ages 2 years and older. The side effects in children and adults were similar. Additional side effects were reported in children that weren’t seen in adults. These include:
- hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
- abdominal pain
- urticaria (hives)
Learn more about some of the side effects that Gvoke may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Gvoke.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting were common side effects reported in clinical trials. These were the most common side effects reported in children and adults who used Gvoke.
What you can do
You or someone nearby should always call for emergency medical help after you receive a dose of Gvoke. When you can safely swallow food or drink, you should consume some form of sugar, such as fruit juice, honey, or sugar cubes. It’s important to remember that nausea and vomiting can also be symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Injection site reactions
Injection site reactions have been reported in people who received Gvoke in clinical trials. This was a common side effect of the drug. Symptoms at the injection site may include:
- pain
- swelling
- redness or discoloration
What you can do
Typically, injection site reactions are mild and will go away on their own within a few days. If you have symptoms that bother you, applying an ice pack to the area may help relieve pain or swelling. Talk with your doctor if you have symptoms that don’t go away or are getting worse.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Gvoke can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Gvoke. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Gvoke. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:
Insulinoma: If you have insulinoma (a tumor in your pancreas), you shouldn’t use Gvoke. This is because Gvoke can cause your pancreas to produce too much insulin, which may lead to severe low blood sugar. Talk with your doctor if you have insulinoma. Your doctor may recommend other treatment options.
Glucagonoma: You shouldn’t use Gvoke if you have a glucagonoma (a rare tumor involving your pancreas). This type of tumor produces a large amount of glucagon, which may increase your risk for severe hypoglycemia and necrolytic migratory erythema (a severe skin rash). If you have glucagonoma, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Gvoke.
Pheochromocytoma: You shouldn’t use Gvoke if you have pheochromocytoma (a rare tumor in your adrenal gland). Gvoke can cause the tumor to release hormones that can increase your blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you if you have pheochromocytoma.
Low glycogen: Gvoke may not be effective if you have certain conditions that cause a low glycogen level, such as adrenal insufficiency or constantly low blood sugar. Talk with your doctor if you have either of these conditions.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Gvoke or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Gvoke. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Gvoke should be safe for you to use. However, you should still talk with your doctor about the possible effects of Gvoke while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Alcohol consumption: It’s not known whether there are any interactions between Gvoke and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol can affect your blood sugar level and may cause hypoglycemia. Talk with your doctor about whether drinking alcohol is safe for you after using Gvoke.
The side effects of Gvoke are typically mild and go away on their own. Talk with your doctor if you have side effects that don’t go away or are serious.
If you’d like to learn more about Gvoke, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from using the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Gvoke: For details about other aspects of Gvoke, refer to this article.
- Dosage: For information about the dosage of Gvoke, view this article.
- A look at your condition: For details about your condition, 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.