Gvoke (glucagon) is a prescription drug used to treat severe low blood sugar in people with diabetes. The drug comes as a liquid solution for injection under your skin. It’s injected as needed.
Gvoke is prescribed to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in adults and certain children with diabetes.
The active ingredient in Gvoke is glucagon. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Gvoke belongs to a group of drugs called antihypoglycemic agents.
This article describes the dosages of Gvoke, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Gvoke, see this in-depth article.
The table below highlights the basics of Gvoke’s dosage. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Age range or weight | Dosage |
|---|---|
| children ages 2 years to under 12 years who weigh less than 45 kilograms (kg)* | 0.5 mg |
| children ages 2 years to under 12 years who weigh 45 kg or more | 1 mg |
| adults and children ages 12 years and older | 1 mg |
* One kg equals approximately 2.2 pounds (lb).
Keep reading for more details about Gvoke’s dosage.
What are Gvoke’s forms?
Gvoke comes as a liquid solution in an auto-injector, a prefilled syringe, and a vial and syringe kit. Each form contains a single dose of the drug, which is given as an injection under your skin.
What strengths does Gvoke come in?
Gvoke comes in two strengths:
- 0.5 mg/0.1 milliliter (mL) in a single-dose prefilled auto-injector
- 1 mg/0.2 mL in a single-dose prefilled autoinjector, a prefilled syringe, or a vial and syringe kit
What are the usual dosages of Gvoke?
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for severe hypoglycemia
The typical Gvoke dosage for adults and children ages 12 years and older with diabetes and an episode of severe hypoglycemia is 1 mg. After injecting the first dose, call 911 or your local emergency number. You can give yourself another dose from a different device if there’s no response to Gvoke 15 minutes after the first dose. Your doctor will tell you what blood sugar range to target after Gvoke treatment.
What’s the dosage of Gvoke for children?
Gvoke is used to help treat severe hypoglycemia in children ages 2 years to less than 12 years with diabetes. The dose for children depends on their weight:
- The dose for children weighing less than 45 kg is 0.5 mg.
- The dose for children weighing 45 kg or more is 1 mg.
After the first dose is given, call 911 or your local emergency number. If Gvoke does not work after 15 minutes, a second dose from a different device can be administered. Your child’s doctor will tell you what blood sugar range to target after Gvoke treatment.
For more information about Gvoke’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Is Gvoke used long term?
No, Gvoke is usually used as a short-term treatment for episodes of severe hypoglycemia. If you don’t respond to one dose of Gvoke during a hypoglycemic episode, you may take another dose while waiting for emergency assistance.
The dosage of Gvoke you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- your weight
- your age
- the form of Gvoke injector you’re using
- whether the first dose worked or not
Gvoke comes as a liquid solution given as an injection under your skin. The solution comes in a prefilled autoinjector, prefilled syringe, or vial and syringe kit. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will show you how to give yourself these injections at home.
You’ll inject Gvoke into your lower abdomen, outer thigh, or upper arm. After injecting the drug, call 911 or your local emergency number, even if you’re feeling better. If the first dose of Gvoke doesn’t work, you can take another dose from a different device 15 minutes after injecting your first dose.
When you can eat or drink after injecting Gvoke, consume a fast-acting sugar source, such as fruit juice. Then, eat a longer-acting source of sugar, such as crackers and cheese or a meat sandwich.
You’ll store Gvoke at room temperature, at 68–77°F (20–25°C). During an episode of severe hypoglycemia, your blood sugar may be so low that you need someone else’s help to inject a dose of Gvoke. Make sure your caregivers or care partners know where you keep this medication and how to give you an injection.
For information on the expiration and disposal of Gvoke, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Do not inject more Gvoke than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- slowed digestion
- high blood pressure
- rapid heartbeat
What to do in case you inject too much Gvoke
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Gvoke. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Gvoke’s dosage.
How long does it take for Gvoke to start working?
Gvoke starts to work after you inject your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you’ll likely feel it working in your body. You or a caregiver can check your blood sugar after 15 minutes to see whether the first dose was effective. If your symptoms haven’t improved or you’ve not regained consciousness, a second dose should be administered.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Gvoke treatment, talk with your doctor.
What is the recommended maximum dosage for Gvoke?
The maximum recommended dosage of Gvoke for adults and children ages 12 years and older is two 1-mg injections, 15 minutes apart. You’ll need a second dose if your blood sugar hasn’t increased 15 minutes after the first dose.
The maximum recommended dosage for children under the age of 12 years is based on their body weight. (See “What’s the dosage of Gvoke for children?” in the “What’s Gvoke’s dosage” section above for more details.)
Your doctor will tell you what blood sugar range to target after Gvoke treatment. Talk with them if you have any questions about when a second injection should be administered.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the manufacturer of Gvoke. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Gvoke without your doctor’s recommendation. Inject Gvoke exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.