Do Not Use G-voke HypoPen and Glucagon 1mg Together
You should never administer two doses of glucagon simultaneously or use different glucagon products together for a single hypoglycemic episode. G-voke HypoPen and traditional glucagon 1mg are both full-dose glucagon formulations designed to treat the same emergency—they are alternative delivery systems, not complementary therapies.
Why This Matters
- Both products contain the same active ingredient (glucagon) at therapeutic doses: G-voke HypoPen delivers 1mg of ready-to-use glucagon, while traditional glucagon kits provide 1mg after reconstitution 1, 2
- Administering both would constitute a dangerous overdose: You would be giving 2mg of glucagon when only 1mg is indicated, potentially causing severe nausea, vomiting, and prolonged hyperglycemia 3, 1
- Each formulation alone is fully effective: Both products achieve blood glucose recovery within 5-15 minutes when used correctly 3, 4
Correct Approach to Severe Hypoglycemia
Choose ONE glucagon product and administer it properly:
Initial Treatment
- Administer 1mg of glucagon using whichever product is available (G-voke HypoPen OR traditional glucagon kit—not both) 5
- For patients weighing <25kg or children <6 years: use 0.5mg dose 1
- Call emergency services immediately after administering glucagon 1
Monitoring and Repeat Dosing
- Check response at 15 minutes: If the patient has not responded (remains unconscious or blood glucose remains <70 mg/dL), you may administer a second dose using a new kit of the same product 1
- This repeat dosing uses the same formulation, not a different product 1
Post-Recovery Care
- Once the patient can swallow safely, give 15-20g of oral carbohydrates (glucose tablets preferred) 5
- Follow with a meal or protein-containing snack to restore liver glycogen and prevent recurrence 5, 6
- Continue monitoring blood glucose every 15 minutes until levels stabilize above 70 mg/dL 6
Key Differences Between Products (For Selection, Not Combination)
G-voke HypoPen advantages:
- Ready-to-use with significantly faster preparation time (27 seconds vs 97 seconds for traditional kits) 2
- No reconstitution required, reducing user error 2, 7
- Easier for caregivers to administer correctly 7
Traditional glucagon kits:
- Require reconstitution of powder with sterile water before injection 1
- More cumbersome but equally effective once properly prepared 2
Critical Safety Points
- Never attempt to give oral glucose to an unconscious or seizing patient—proceed directly to glucagon 6
- Nausea and vomiting are expected side effects of glucagon administration at therapeutic doses 3, 1
- Every insulin-using patient should be prescribed glucagon (any formulation) and caregivers trained in its use 5
- Replace expired glucagon products and store according to manufacturer instructions 3, 4
Common Pitfall to Avoid
The most dangerous misunderstanding would be thinking that using two different glucagon products together provides "extra coverage" or faster response. This is incorrect and potentially harmful. Select one product, use it correctly, and only repeat with the same product if the initial dose fails after 15 minutes 1.