Zegalogue : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Zegalogue (Dasiglucagon injection) is used along with emergency medical treatment to treat severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar) in adults and children 6 years of age and older with diabetes. Zegalogue is in a class of medications called glucagon receptor agonists. It works by causing the liver to release stored sugar to the blood.

How should this medicine be used?

Zegalogue (Dasiglucagon injection) comes as a solution (liquid) in a prefilled syringe and an auto-injector device to inject subcutaneously (just under the skin). It is usually injected as needed at the first sign of severe hypoglycemia. After the injection, the patient should be turned onto their side to prevent choking if they vomit. Use Zegalogue exactly as directed; do not inject it more often or inject more or less of it than prescribed by your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you, family, or caregivers who could be injecting the medication how to use and prepare Zegalogue. Before a friend or family member uses Zegalogue for the first time, read the patient information that comes with it. This information includes directions for how to use the injection device. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you or your caregivers have any questions about how to inject this medication.

Following a Zegalogue, an unconscious person with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) will usually wake within 15 minutes. Once the Zegalogue has been given, immediately contact a doctor and get emergency medical treatment. If the person does not awaken within 15 minutes after an injection, give one more dose of Zegalogue. Feed the individual a fast-acting source of sugar (e.g., regular soft drink or fruit juice) and then a long-acting source of sugar (e.g., crackers, cheese or a meat sandwich) as soon as they awaken and are able to swallow.

Always look at the Zegalogue solution before it is injected. It should be clear, colorless, and free of particles. Do not use Zegalogue if it is cloudy, contains particles, or if the expiration date has passed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to dispose of the puncture-resistant container.

Zegalogue can be injected with the prefilled syringe or autoinjector in the upper arm, thigh, stomach, or buttocks. Roll back any clothing to expose bare skin; do not inject through clothes. Never inject the Zegalogue prefilled syringe or autoinjector into a vein or muscle.

It is important that all patients have a household member who knows the symptoms of low blood sugar and how to administer Zegalogue. If you have low blood sugar often, keep Zegalogue with you at all times. You should and a family member or friend should be able to recognize some of the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (i.e., shakiness, dizziness or lightheadedness, sweating, confusion, nervousness or irritability, sudden changes in behavior or mood, headache, numbness or tingling around the mouth, weakness, pale skin, sudden hunger, clumsy or jerky movements). Try to eat or drink a food or beverage with sugar in it, such as hard candy or fruit juice, before it is necessary to administer Zegalogue.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before receiving Zegalogue,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Zegalogue, any other medications, latex, or any of the ingredients in Zegalogue. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran); indomethacin (Indocin); or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have pheochromocytoma (tumor on a small gland near the kidneys) or insulinoma (pancreatic tumors). Your doctor will probably tell you not to use Zegalogue.
  • tell your doctor if you have ever had adrenal gland problems, malnutrition, or heart disease. Also, tell your doctor if you have chronic (ongoing) low blood sugar.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

This medication is usually taken as needed.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Zegalogue may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • headache
  • diarrhea
  • injection site pain
  • fast heartbeat

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • rash
  • difficulty breathing

Zegalogue may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the provided case it came in, tightly closed, away from light, and out of reach of children. Store it in the refrigerator away from the cooling element; do not freeze. It can also be kept at room temperature for up to 12 months, but do not return it to the refrigerator after storing it at room temperature. Write the date when the injection is removed the refrigerator on the case. Dispose of any medication that is damaged, expired, or stored at room temperature for longer than 12 months and be sure to have a replacement available.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • fast or racing heart beat

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. If your Zegalogue is used, be sure to get a replacement right away. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Zegalogue®

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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