Glucagon

• Pancreatic Hormone
  
• Insulin Antagonist

• IM or subcutaneous for hypoglycemia
  
• IM or slow IV push (over 2-5 minutes) for bradycardia due to beta-blocker or calciumchannel blocker toxicity
  
• Rapid IV push for cardiac arrest due to beta-blocker or calcium-channel toxicity
  
• Intranasal (IN) rapid push as an alternative route when other routes are inaccessible

Adult Dose:

Hypoglycemia

• 1 mg - standing order
  
• If no response, BioTel may authorize additional doses at 15 minute intervals, if necessary
  

Bradycardia (beta-blocker toxicity)

• 1 mg – 5 mg – standing order
  
• 1 mg IM if IV or IO access not available
  

Cardiac arrest (beta-blocker toxicity)

• 1 mg – 5 mg - standing order

Pediatric Dose
    1 - 12 years

• Hypoglycemia
  
• 1 mg - standing order
  
• If no response, BioTel may authorize additional doses at 15 minute intervals if necessary
  
• Beta-blocker toxicity
  
• 1mg - BIOTEL AUTHORIZATION ONLY

• Hypoglycemia
  
• 0.5 mg - standing order

• Converts stored glycogen to glucose, increasing blood glucose levels
  
• Improves cardiac contractility and increases heart rate

• Hypoglycemia when no IV is obtainable and gag reflex is absent (should not be considered a first-line choice for hypoglycemia)
  
• Beta blocker and calcium channel blocker toxicity

Administer cautiously to:

• Patients with cardiovascular disease
  
• Patients with kidney or liver dysfunction

• Hypotension
  
• Nausea
  
• Vomiting
  
• Tachycardia