Gvoke HypoPen is the first glucagon autoinjector for low blood sugar emergencies in people with diabetes, ages 2 and above.1 It’s premixed and ready-to-go.1 Anyone can use Gvoke HypoPen with 2 simple steps.2,3 It’s available in 2 doses (one for kids and one for adults).
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gvoke HypoPen®
There are many reasons that people may be at risk for severe low blood sugar. You may be at a higher risk if you take insulin or sulfonylurea to help you manage your diabetes, exercise at an intense level, tend to skip meals, have an inconsistent schedule, stressed, have tight blood sugar goals, tend to have insulin pump problems, are more sensitive to insulin, had severe low blood sugar in the past, have a hard time recognizing signs that your blood sugar is low, had diabetes for a long time, or have trouble taking your medicine.4-6
Gvoke can be used to treat a severe low blood sugar event when someone1:
1. Has repeatedly tried correcting with food or drink and it isn’t working
2. Is unable to swallow safely
3. Feels like passing out
4. Experiences loss of consciousness or seizure
It’s important to remember that Gvoke can be used even before you or the person you’re helping passes out or has a seizure. It’s a good idea for you and the people in your life to know how to use it, before you need it.
The most common side effects for adults were nausea (30%), vomiting (16%), swelling at the injection site (7%), and headache (5%).1 The most common side effects for kids were nausea (45%), low blood sugar (39%), vomiting (19%), headache (7%), abdominal pain (3%), high blood sugar (7%), injection site discomfort (3%), injection site reaction (3%), and urticaria (hives) (3%).1 These are not all the possible side effects of Gvoke HypoPen. Most side effects were mild. If an adult ended up having a side effect, it was mild 81% of the time. If a kid ended up having a side effect, it was mild 83% of the time.7
Gvoke HypoPen is premixed and ready-to-go. It is also available as a 0.5 mg/0.1 mL kids dose and 1 mg/0.2 mL adult dose.1
Gvoke HypoPen, Gvoke PFS and Gvoke Kit are ready-to-use glucagon treatments with flexible options to treat low blood sugar emergencies in people with diabetes, ages 2 and above.1,2,8 Gvoke HypoPen comes as an autoinjector with no visible needle. Gvoke PFS comes as a prefilled syringe with a 1/2 inch visible needle, and Gvoke Kit comes as a syringe and premixed vial.
No, Gvoke should only be injected directly on exposed skin and can be injected into the outer upper arm, lower stomach or outer thigh.1
It is recommended that anyone who suffers a severe hypoglycemic event seek help afterwards to check for proper glucose levels and to plan future treatment adjustments.1
Yes, there is a kids-specific dose. Gvoke HypoPen and Gvoke Kit are available in a 0.5 mg/0.1 mL dose for kids <12 years of age. For children under 12 years of age who weigh ≥100 lbs, a 1 mg/0.2 mL dose is recommended.1 Talk to your doctor about which dose is appropriate for your child.
Gvoke HypoPen, Gvoke PFS and Gvoke Kit are available in a 1 mg/0.2 mL dose for adolescent and adult patients ≥12 years of age.1
Gvoke HypoPen should be stored in the original foil pouch until time of use and should be kept at room temperature: 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Do not refrigerate or freeze Gvoke HypoPen.1
The 1 mg dose for adolescents and adults lasts up to 30 months from the date of manufacture. The 0.5 mg dose for kids lasts up to 24 months from date of manufacture.7 You should always check the expiration date on the label to make sure that Gvoke HypoPen has not expired. Do not use Gvoke HypoPen if the expiration date has passed.
No, do not refrigerate or freeze Gvoke. Gvoke should be stored at room temperature.1
Gvoke HypoPen should be kept in the original sealed foil pouch to protect it from light and moisture until time of use.2 If removed from the foil pouch and not used immediately as directed, please contact your physician to obtain a new prescription for Gvoke HypoPen. Properly dispose of the opened Gvoke HypoPen in a sharps container after the replacement arrives.2
After use, Gvoke should be kept in a safe place until it can be disposed of into an FDA-cleared sharps container.2
If you have eligible commercial insurance, you may pay as little as $25 with the Gvoke Copay Card.* Xeris also offers a Patient Assistance Program to assist qualifying patients who can’t afford their medications in obtaining Gvoke at no cost. Please call 1-877-myGvoke (1-877-694-8653) for more information.
*Terms and conditions may apply. Please visit GvokeGlucagon.com/Savings-and-Support for more information.
Ask your doctor to request a prescription for Gvoke HypoPen. If you live in a state that has a standing order for glucagon, you can get Gvoke HypoPen directly at your local pharmacy. Talk with your pharmacist to determine if you live in a state with a standing order and if they are a participating pharmacy.
See Why People Choose Gvoke®
REFERENCES:
- Gvoke [prescribing information]. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc; 2023.
- Gvoke HypoPen [instructions for use]. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc; 2023.
- Valentine V, Newswanger B, Prestrelski S, Andre AD, Garibaldi M. Human factors usability and validation studies of a glucagon autoinjector in a simulated severe hypoglycemia rescue situation. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2019;21(9):522-530
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). 2021. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia. Accessed September 22 2021
- Kedia N. Treatment of severe diabetic hypoglycemia with glucagon: an underutilized therapeutic approach. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2011:4;337-346.
- Geller AI, Shehab N, Lovegrove MC, et al. National estimates of insulin-related hypoglycemia and errors leading to emergency department visits and hospitalizations. JAMA Intern Med. 2014:174(5):678-686.
- Data on file. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticlas, Inc.
- Gvoke PFS [instructions for use]. Chicago, IL: Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc; 2023.
INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY
GVOKE is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in adults and kids with diabetes ages 2 years and above. It is not known if GVOKE is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age.
WARNINGS
Do not use GVOKE if:
- you have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland), called a pheochromocytoma.
- you have a tumor in your pancreas called an insulinoma.
- you are allergic to glucagon or any inactive ingredient in GVOKE.
GVOKE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, INCLUDING:
High blood pressure
GVOKE can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands.
Low blood sugar
GVOKE can cause low blood sugar in certain people with tumors in their pancreas called insulinomas by making too much insulin in their bodies.
Serious allergic reaction
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction including:
- rash
- difficulty breathing
- low blood pressure
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects of GVOKE in adults include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- swelling at the injection site
- headache
The most common side effects of GVOKE in children include:
- nausea
- low blood sugar
- high blood sugar
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- headache
- pain or redness at the injection site
- itching
These are not all the possible side effects of GVOKE. For more information, ask your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
BEFORE USING
Before using GVOKE, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- have adrenal gland problems
- have a tumor in your pancreas
- have not had food or water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation)
- have low blood sugar that does not go away (chronic hypoglycemia)
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if GVOKE passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you can use GVOKE while breastfeeding.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
HOW TO USE
- Read the detailed Instructions for Use that come with GVOKE.
- Use GVOKE exactly how your healthcare provider tells you to use it
- Make sure your relatives, close friends, and caregivers know where you store GVOKE and how to use it the right way before you need their help.
- Act quickly. Having very low blood sugar for a period of time may be harmful.
- Your healthcare provider will tell you how and when to use GVOKE.
- After giving GVOKE, your caregiver should call for emergency medical help right away.
- If you do not respond after 15 minutes, your caregiver may give you another dose, if available. Tell your healthcare provider each time you use GVOKE. Low blood sugar may happen again after receiving an injection of GVOKE. Your diabetes medicine may need to be changed.
HOW TO STORE
- Keep GVOKE pre-filled syringe and HypoPen in sealed foil pouch until time of use.
- Keep GVOKE kit vial and pouched syringe together in original carton until time of use.
- Store GVOKE at temperatures between 68°F and 77°F.
- Do not keep it in the refrigerator or let it freeze.
Keep GVOKE and all medicines out of the reach of children.
For more information, call 1-877-937-4737 or go to www.GvokeGlucagon.com.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information for Gvoke