Narcan, Flumazenil, Protamine, and More: 9 Common Medication Reversal Agents
Reversal agents are drugs that counteract the effects of other medications. Learn more with this list of reversal agents and when to use them.
Zegalogue
Used for Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, Hypoglycemia
Used for Diabetes Type 1, Diabetes Type 2, Hypoglycemia
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
| Common Brands | Zegalogue |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Anti-hypoglycemic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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
Get your GoodRx coupon
$386.62
GoodRx discount
$302.89
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.
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
The average cost for 1 carton of one autoinjector of 0.6mg/0.6ml of Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) is $302.89 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 21.66% off the average retail price of $386.62. 
Carton
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?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Zegalogue (brand)
$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)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Zegalogue (dasiglucagon). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
What Novel Drugs Did the FDA Approve in 2021?
In 2021, the FDA approved 50 novel drugs. This includes medications being approved for new treatments and novel drugs for rare diseases. Learn more about the novel drugs approved in 2021 and what’s in store for 2022.
What’s the Difference Between Zegalogue and Glucagon for Hypoglycemia Treatment?
Zegalogue is a new pre-mixed form of glucagon to help treat severe low blood sugar in people with diabetes. An older version of glucagon (GlucaGen) has been available, but it uses a powder vial that must be mixed and injected with a syringe. Read on to learn more about the differences between Zegalogue and glucagon.
