Gvoke HypoPen® - New Year, New Guidelines
2021 has the promise of new opportunities and new ways of looking at things. As you kick off conversations with your patients this year, you might want to consider talking about a subject that is usually last on the list, given its historical complexity and training: glucagon.
Severe hypoglycemia is the most urgent emergency any person with diabetes could face. And unfortunately, it only takes one unexpected severe low to send a patient to the hospital. According to new ADA 2021 Guidelines on severe hypoglycemia, you should be talking to your patients about how to handle these episodes at the initial visit, every follow-up visit and every annual visit.
Now that there are ready-to-use glucagon options, the conversation around severe lows doesn’t have to be daunting and time consuming. Instead, it can be a positive conversation focused on what your patients need to feel confident if and when a severe low does happen.
Gvoke HypoPen is the first premixed autoinjector for treatment of severe hypoglycemia in adults and children with diabetes ages 2 and above2.
Gvoke HypoPen offers simple administration, with the certainty of delivery. It is:
- Premixed and ready-to-go, with no visible needle2
- Reliable Method of Delivery: 99% of people were able to use it correctly, in a study1
- Proven to Work: 99% of adults and 100% of kids had their blood sugars raised to safe levels2
Anyone can use Gvoke HypoPen in just 2 simple steps.
For a limited time, a $0 copay card will be available for commercially eligible patients*. To download a copay card, please visit https://www.gvokeglucagon.com/savings-and-support.
To Request a Demo Device
- Please visit https://www.gvokeglucagon.com/hcp to request a Gvoke HypoPen demo device and to find helpful videos and resources you can use with your patients during telehealth visits.
To Learn More
- To connect with your local sales representative, please click here.
- Any other questions, please contact the Xeris Contact Center at 1-877-XERIS-37.
The simplicity of Gvoke HypoPen® allows all of us to evolve the paradigm in managing severe hypoglycemia. Xeris Pharmaceuticals® is excited to continue partnering with ADCES on this endeavor.
INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
GVOKE is indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes ages 2 years and above.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications
GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma, insulinoma, and known hypersensitivity to glucagon or to any of the excipients in GVOKE. Allergic reactions have been reported with glucagon and include anaphylactic shock with breathing difficulties and hypotension.
Warnings and Precautions
GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma because glucagon may stimulate the release of catecholamines from the tumor. If the patient develops a dramatic increase in blood pressure and a previously undiagnosed pheochromocytoma is suspected, 5 to 10 mg of phentolamine mesylate, administered intravenously, has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure.
In patients with insulinoma, administration of glucagon may produce an initial increase in blood glucose; however, GVOKE administration may directly or indirectly (through an initial rise in blood glucose) stimulate exaggerated insulin release from an insulinoma and cause hypoglycemia. GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with insulinoma. If a patient develops symptoms of hypoglycemia after a dose of GVOKE, give glucose orally or intravenously.
Allergic reactions have been reported with glucagon. These include generalized rash, and in some cases, anaphylactic shock with breathing difficulties and hypotension. GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction.
GVOKE is effective in treating hypoglycemia only if sufficient hepatic glycogen is present. Patients in states of starvation, with adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia, may not have adequate levels of hepatic glycogen for GVOKE administration to be effective. Patients with these conditions should be treated with glucose.
Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), a skin rash commonly associated with glucagonomas has been reported postmarketing following continuous glucagon infusion and resolved with discontinuation of the glucagon. Should NME occur, consider whether the benefits of continuous glucagon infusion outweigh the risks. Glucagon administered to patients with glucagonoma may cause secondary hypoglycemia.
Adverse Reactions
Most common (≥5%) adverse reactions associated with GVOKE are nausea, vomiting, injection site edema (raised 1 mm or greater), and hypoglycemia.
Drug Interactions
Patients taking beta-blockers may have a transient increase in pulse and blood pressure when given GVOKE. In patients taking indomethacin, GVOKETM may lose its ability to raise blood glucose or may even produce hypoglycemia. GVOKE may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Click here to see Full Prescribing Information for Gvoke.
- Virginia Valentine, Brett Newswanger, Steve Prestrelski, Anthony D. Andre, and Mark Garibaldi. (2019). Human Factors Usability and Validation Studies of a Glucagon Autoinjector in a Simulated Severe Hypoglycemia Rescue Situation, Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. Vol. 21, No.9, https://doi.org/10.1089/dia.2019.01482.
- Gvoke Prescribing Information, 09/2019.
Gvoke®, Gvoke HypoPen®, Xeris Pharmaceuticals®, and their associated logos are trademarks of Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.
Copyright ©2021 Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All rights reserved. US-GVKHP-20-00235 01/2021