Zegalogue
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) is a medication used in emergencies for when you have dangerously low blood sugar. It's chemically different from glucagon, but works in similar ways to raise your blood sugar levels. Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) comes as a prefilled autoinjector and a prefilled syringe that you inject under your skin. It's administered either in your lower stomach, buttocks, thigh, or outer upper arm. Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) commonly causes stomach-related side effects, like nausea and vomiting. This medication is brand name only.
What is Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)?
What is Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) used for?
- Emergency treatment of very low blood sugar in people age 6 years and older
How Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) works
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) is a glucagon receptor agonist that works to raise blood sugar (glucose) levels. It does this by triggering your liver to make more glucose and by breaking down glycogen (a stored form of glucose) in your body.
Drug facts
Side effects of Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Adults:
- Nausea (57%)
- Vomiting (25%)
- Headache (11%)
- Diarrhea (5%)
- Injection site pain (2%)
Children:
- Nausea (65%)
- Vomiting (50%)
- Headache (10%)
- Injection site pain (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Blood pressure changes
- Slow heart rate
- Feeling faint
- Feeling that your heart is racing
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- High blood pressure: headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, trouble breathing
- Low blood sugar: feeling shaky or hungry, being nervous or anxious, fast heartbeat, sweating or body chills, confusion, feeling sleepy, weakness, low energy
- Serious allergic reactions: trouble breathing, low blood pressure, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
The following Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
Pros
- Comes prefilled, so no need to mix or prepare the dose
- Can get your blood sugar levels back to a safe level in as quickly as 10 minutes
- Available as an autoinjector, which might be easier to use for some people
Cons
- Only available as a brand medication
- Caps on both autoinjector and prefilled syringe contain latex, so might not be safe for people with latex allergy
- Not recommended for children younger than 6 years old
Pharmacist tips for Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
- Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) is a subcutaneous injection. This means you should inject it under the skin. You can do so in your lower belly or thigh, buttocks, or the outer part of your upper arm.
- Don't inject Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) through your clothes because the medication might not work.
- Be sure that you and your caregivers read the Instructions For Use that come with Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) autoinjector or Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) prefilled syringe so you know how to use the medication before an emergency situation happens.
- Store Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) in your refrigerator and keep it in its red protective case, but don't freeze it. Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) can also be kept at room temperature, but it will only be good for up to a year or until the expiration date, whichever comes first. Don't put Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) back into the refrigerator after it's been stored at room temperature.
- Teach yourself and your family members how to recognize and treat the symptoms of low blood sugar. The following are some common symptoms of low blood sugar: feeling shaky or hungry, being nervous or anxious, fast heartbeat, sweating or body chills, confusion, feeling sleepy, weakness, or low energy.
- Call for emergency medical help or contact a healthcare provider right away after you use Zegalogue (dasiglucagon), even if the medication helps you feel better.
- After you use a dose of Zegalogue (dasiglucagon), throw away the syringe, autoinjector, and needles in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container to prevent needle-stick injuries. If you don't have a sharps container, you can use a container that's made of heavy-duty plastic, can be closed with a tight lid, and leak-resistant, like a laundry detergent bottle. Be sure to label the container so people know there's sharp objects inside.
Common questions about Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
In studies, many people saw their blood sugar levels rise in 10 minutes, and most people recovered within 15 minutes. If it's been 15 minutes and your blood sugar is still quite low, you can repeat the 0.6 mg dose with a different prefilled pen. It's important to bring your blood sugar up to a safe level as soon possible to avoid complications from hypoglycemia.
Inject Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) under the skin of your lower stomach, buttocks, thigh, or the outer part of your upper arm. Don't inject the medication into a muscle or vein because this can cause you to take an incorrect dose, which can lead to serious side effects.
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) works well for adults and children aged 6 years and older. But, it only works if you have enough stores of glucose in your body. It doesn't work for folks who are starving, have adrenal glands that don't make enough hormones (adrenal insufficiency), or people with low blood sugar that doesn't go away (chronic hypoglycemia). If you have any of these conditions, you should treat your low blood sugar with fast-acting glucose instead.
Yes, once you can safely eat or drink, it's important that you eat a fast-acting sugar (e.g., fruit juice) and long-acting sugar (e.g., peanut butter or cheese and crackers) to raise your blood sugar to a safe level (well above 70 mg/dL) and until you feel alert. Once your blood sugar is above 70 mg/dL, then eat a meal to keep your blood sugar levels in a normal range. If your blood sugar is not rising after using Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) or when you eat, or if your blood sugar level drops even lower, call 911.
The gray cover for the needle has dry natural rubber, which can cause allergic reactions in people with latex allergies.
Both the Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) syringe and Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) autoinjector are premixed and prefilled containing just 1 dose of medication, so you don't need to draw up or mix anything. They really only differ when it comes to injecting. With the prefilled syringe, you need to pinch your skin before inserting the needle into your skin. With the autoinjector, you just need to push it straight down against your skin. The autoinjector delivers the medication for you, slowly over about 10 seconds. With the syringe, you need to slowly press the plunger yourself until the syringe is empty and the plunger rod stops. The Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) autoinjector might be easier to use for people who have a hard time injecting the syringe. Talk with your provider if you've questions about which option of Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) is better for you.
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) and glucagon (GlucaGen) are emergency rescue medications for people experiencing low blood sugar. Though chemically different, they work in similar ways to raise blood sugar. But there are some difference. (1) One difference is that you must mix typical glucagon (GlucaGen) kits before each use, but Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) comes premixed and is ready-to-use. (2) Another difference is that glucagon (GlucaGen) can be used for people of all ages, while Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) is only approved for people aged 6 and older. (3) A third difference is that Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) is given as a fixed dose, whereas glucagon (GlucaGen) is dosed based on your weight and age. Check out this article to review more differences between Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) and other newer glucagon products.
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Risks and warnings for Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Higher blood pressure (in people with a rare tumor called pheochromocytoma)
People with pheochromocytoma (a type of hormone-releasing tumor) shouldn't use Zegalogue (dasiglucagon). Doing so can trigger the release of catecholamines (stress hormones) which can raise your blood pressure.
Hypoglycemia in people with insulinoma
- Risk factors: Insulinoma
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) can be dangerous for those with insulinoma (tumors in the pancreas that release extra insulin). While Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) will raise blood sugar in people with insulinoma at first, this rise in blood sugar can trigger the body to release insulin, which can further lower your blood sugar. For this reason, people with insulinoma shouldn't use this medication. If you develop low blood sugars after using Zegalogue (dasiglucagon), take some fast-acting sugar right away to raise your blood sugar back to normal levels.
Allergic reaction
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) can cause an allergic reaction in some people. If you develop a rash, trouble breathing, or low blood pressure after using Zegalogue (dasiglucagon), get medical help right away.
Doesn't work if you have certain health issues
- Risk factors: Starvation | Adrenal insufficiency | Chronic hypoglycemia
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) raises blood sugar by breaking down the glucose stores (glycogen) in your body. Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) doesn't work well for people who don't have enough glucose stored up. This includes people who haven't eaten enough for long periods of time, people with adrenal insufficiency, and people with chronic hypoglycemia. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to treat low blood sugars with fast-acting glucose instead of Zegalogue (dasiglucagon).
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| one autoinjector of 0.6mg/0.6ml | 1 carton | $302.89 | $302.89 |
| two autoinjectors of 0.6mg/0.6ml | 1 carton | $599.53 | $599.53 |
| one syringe of 0.6mg/0.6ml | 1 carton | $302.89 | $302.89 |
| two syringes of 0.6mg/0.6ml | 1 carton | $599.53 | $599.53 |
Typical dosage for Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
The typical dose of Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) is 0.6 mg injected under the skin as needed for very low blood sugar. If your blood sugar doesn't rise after 15 minutes, you can repeat the dose once.
How much does Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) cost?
$302.89
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) will not be safe for you to take.
What are alternatives to Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)?
