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BAQSIMI contains glucagon, an antihypoglycemic agent used to treat severe hypoglycemia. Glucagon is a single-chain polypeptide containing 29 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 3483, and is identical to human glucagon.
Its molecular formula is C153H225N43O49S, with the following molecular structure:
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BAQSIMI is a preservative-free, white powder for intranasal administration in an intranasal device containing one dose of 3 mg glucagon. BAQSIMI contains glucagon as the active ingredient and betadex, and dodecylphosphocholine as the excipients.
BAQSIMI™ is indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in adults and pediatric patients aged 1 year and older with diabetes.
BAQSIMI is for intranasal use only.
Instruct patients and their caregivers on the signs and symptoms of severe hypoglycemia. Because severe hypoglycemia requires help of others to recover, instruct the patient to inform those around them about BAQSIMI and its Instructions for Use. Administer BAQSIMI as soon as possible when severe hypoglycemia is recognized.
Instruct the patient or caregiver to read the Instructions for Use at the time they receive a prescription for BAQSIMI. Emphasize the following instructions to the patient or caregiver:
The recommended dose of BAQSIMI is 3 mg administered as one actuation of the intranasal device into one nostril.
If there has been no response after 15 minutes, an additional 3 mg dose of BAQSIMI from a new device may be administered while waiting for emergency assistance.
BAQSIMI is supplied as an intranasal device containing one 3 mg dose of glucagon as a preservative free, white powder.
BAQSIMI One Pack carton contains 1 intranasal device (NDC 0548-8351-01)
BAQSIMI Two Pack carton contains 2 intranasal devices (NDC 0548-8352-02)
Marketed by: Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, USA. Revised: Mar 2025
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of BAQSIMI cannot be directly compared with rates in clinical trials of other drugs and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Two similarly designed comparator-controlled trials, Study 1 and Study 2, evaluated the safety of a single intranasal dose of BAQSIMI compared to a 1 mg dose of intra-muscular glucagon (IMG) in adult patients with diabetes [see Clinical Studies].
Table 1 presents adverse reactions that occurred with BAQSIMI at an incidence of ≥2% in a pool of Study 1 and Study 2.
Table 1: Pooled Adverse Reactions (≥2%) in Adult Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Study 1 and Study 2
| Adverse Reaction | BAQSIMI 3 mg (N=153) % |
| Nausea | 26 |
| Headache | 18 |
| Vomiting | 15 |
| Upper Respiratory Tract Irritationa | 12 |
| a Upper Respiratory Tract Irritation: rhinorrhea, nasal discomfort, nasal congestion, cough, and epistaxis. | |
Nasal and ocular symptoms with BAQSIMI were solicited through a patient questionnaire in Study 1 and 2 and these adverse reactions are presented in Table 2.
Table 2: Solicited Nasal and Non-Nasal Adverse Reactions in Adult Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Pooled from Study 1 and 2
| Adverse Reactiona | BAQSIMI 3 mg (n=153) % Any increase in symptom severitya |
| Watery eyes | 59 |
| Nasal congestion | 43 |
| Nasal itching | 39 |
| Runny nose | 35 |
| Redness of eyes | 25 |
| Itchy eyes | 22 |
| Sneezing | 20 |
| Itching of throat | 12 |
| Itching of ears | 3 |
| a Patients were asked to report whether they have the symptom, as well as severity (mild, moderate, severe) at baseline, and after glucagon administration. | |
A single dose of BAQSIMI was compared to weight-based doses of 0.5 mg or 1 mg of IMG in pediatric patients aged 4 to less than 17 years with type 1 diabetes in Study 3 [see Clinical Studies].
Table 3 presents adverse reactions that occurred with BAQSIMI in pediatric patients at an incidence of ≥2% in Study 3
Table 3: Adverse Reactions (≥2%) Occurring in Pediatric Patients Aged 4 to less than 17 Years with Type 1 Diabetes in Study 3
| Adverse Reaction | BAQSIMI 3 mg (n=36)% |
| Vomiting | 31 |
| Headache | 25 |
| Nausea | 17 |
| Upper Respiratory Tract Irritationa | 17 |
| a Upper Respiratory Tract Irritation: nasal discomfort, nasal congestion, sneezing. | |
Nasal and ocular symptoms with BAQSIMI were solicited through a patient questionnaire in pediatric patients in Study 3 and these adverse reactions are presented in Table 4.
Table 4: Solicited Nasal and Non-Nasal Adverse Reactions in Pediatric Patients Aged 4 to less than 17 Years with Type 1 Diabetes in Study 3
| Adverse Reactiona | BAQSIMI 3 mg (n=36) % Any increase in symptom severitya |
| Watery eyes | 47 |
| Nasal congestion | 42 |
| Nasal itching | 28 |
| Runny nose | 25 |
| Sneezing | 19 |
| Itchy eyes | 17 |
| Redness of eyes | 14 |
| Itching of throat | 3 |
| Itching of ears | 3 |
| a Subjects were asked to report whether they have the symptom,as well asseverity (mild,moderate, severe) at baseline, and after glucagon administration. | |
The safety of a single 3 mg intranasal dose of BAQSIMI was assessed in an open-label study of 7 pediatric patients aged 1 to less than 4 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies]. The safety profile observed in this trial in pediatric patients was comparable to that observed in adults and pediatric patients aged 4 to less than 17 years [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Other observed adverse reactions with BAQSIMI-treated patients across clinical trials were, dysgeusia, pruritus, tachycardia, hypertension, and additional upper respiratory tract irritation events (nasal pruritus, throat irritation, and parosmia).
Patients taking beta-blockers may have a transient increase in pulse and blood pressure when given BAQSIMI.
In patients taking indomethacin, BAQSIMI may lose its ability to raise blood glucose or may even produce hypoglycemia.
BAQSIMI may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
BAQSIMI is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma because glucagon may stimulate release of catecholamines from the tumor [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. If the patient develops a substantial 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, BAQSIMI administration may directly or indirectly (through an initial rise in blood glucose) stimulate exaggerated insulin release from an insulinoma and cause hypoglycemia. BAQSIMI is contraindicated in patients with insulinoma [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. If a patient develops symptoms of hypoglycemia after a dose of BAQSIMI, give glucose orally or intravenously.
Serious hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with glucagon products, including generalized rash, and in some cases anaphylactic shock with breathing difficulties and hypotension. Discontinue BAQSIMI if symptoms of serious hypersensitivity reactions occur. Advise patients and/or caregivers to seek immediate medical attention if the patient experiences any symptoms of serious hypersensitivity reactions. BAQSIMI is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Patients with insufficient hepatic stores of glycogen may not respond to subcutaneous BAQSIMI for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Insufficient hepatic stores of glycogen may be present in conditions such as states of starvation or in patients with adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia.
Advise the patient and family members or caregivers to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION and Instructions for Use).
Inform patient and family members or caregivers on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of severe hypoglycemia and the risks of prolonged hypoglycemia.
Inform patients that serious hypersensitivity reactions can occur with BAQSIMI. Advise patients to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms of serious hypersensitivity reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Long term studies in animals to evaluate carcinogenic potential have not been performed. Recombinant glucagon was positive in the bacterial Ames assay. It was determined that an increase in colony counts was related to technical difficulties in running this assay with peptides. Studies in rats have shown that glucagon does not cause impaired fertility.
Available data from case reports and a small number of observational studies with glucagon use in pregnant women over decades of use have not identified a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Multiple small studies have demonstrated a lack of transfer of pancreatic glucagon across the human placental barrier during early gestation. In a rat reproduction study, no embryofetal toxicity was observed with glucagon administered by injection during the period of organogenesis at doses representing up to 40 times the human dose, based on body surface area (mg/m²) (see Data).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.
Animal Data
In pregnant rats given animal sourced glucagon twice-daily by injection at doses up to 2 mg/kg (up to 40 times the human dose based on body surface area extrapolation, mg/m²) during the period of organogenesis, there was no evidence of increased malformations or embryofetal lethality.
There is no information available on the presence of glucagon in human or animal milk, the effects of the drug on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. However, glucagon is a peptide and would be expected to be broken down to its constituent amino acids in the infant's digestive tract and is therefore, unlikely to cause harm to an exposed infant.
The safety and effectiveness of BAQSIMI for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes have been established in pediatric patients aged 1 year and older. Use of BAQSIMI for this indication is supported by evidence from an adequate and well-controlled study in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies], a study in 48 pediatric patients aged 4 to less than 17 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies], and additional pharmacokinetic and safety data from a study of seven pediatric patients aged 1 to less than 4 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus [see ADVERSE REACTIONS, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, and Clinical Studies].
The safety and effectiveness of BAQSIMI have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 1 year of age.
Clinical studies of BAQSIMI did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger adult patients.
If overdosage occurs, the patient may experience nausea, vomiting, inhibition of GI tract motility, increase in blood pressure and pulse rate. In case of suspected overdosing, serum potassium levels may decrease and should be monitored and corrected if needed. If the patient develops a dramatic increase in blood pressure, phentolamine mesylate has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure for the short time that control would be needed. In the event of an overdose of BAQSIMI, consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendation.
BAQSIMI is contraindicated in patients with:
Glucagon increases blood glucose concentration by activating hepatic glucagon receptors, thereby stimulating glycogen breakdown and release of glucose from the liver. Hepatic stores of glycogen are necessary for glucagon to produce an antihypoglycemic effect.
After administration of BAQSIMI in adult patients with diabetes, the mean maximum glucose increase from baseline was 140 mg/dL (Figure 1).
In pediatric patients aged 1 to less than 17 years with type 1 diabetes, the mean maximum glucose increase from baseline was 132 mg/dL (1 to less than 4 years), 138 mg/dL (4 to less than 8 years), 133 mg/dL (8 to less than 12 years), and 102 mg/dL (12 to less than 17 years) (Figure 2). Sex and body weight had no clinically meaningful effects on the pharmacodynamics of BAQSIMI. Common cold with nasal congestion tested with or without use of decongestant did not impact pharmacodynamics of BAQSIMI.
Figure 1 : Mean glucose concentration over time after glucagon dose in adult Type 1 Diabetes patients with insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
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Figure 2 : Mean glucose concentration over time in pediatric Type 1 Diabetes patients administered BAQSIMI
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Glucagon absorption via the intranasal route, achieved mean peak plasma levels of 6130 pg/mL at around 15 minutes.
The apparent volume of distribution was approximately 885 L.
The median half-life was approximately 35 minutes.
Metabolism
Glucagon is known to be degraded in the liver, kidneys, and plasma.
In pediatric patients (aged 1 to less than 17 years), glucagon via the intranasal route, achieved mean peak plasma levels between 10 and 20 minutes. The median half-life was 21 to 31 minutes.
Common cold with nasal congestion did not impact the pharmacokinetics of BAQSIMI.
Common cold with use of decongestant did not impact the pharmacokinetics of BAQSIMI.
The observed incidence of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) is highly dependent on the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Differences in assay methods preclude meaningful comparisons of the incidence of ADA in the studies described below with the incidence of anti-drug antibodies in other studies, including those of glucagon or of other glucagon products.
In 3 clinical trials, 3/124 (2%) of BAQSIMI-treated patients had treatment-emergent ADAs as detected by an affinity capture elution (ACE) ligand-binding immunogenicity assay. No neutralizing antibodies were detected. Because of the low occurrence of ADA, the effect of these antibodies on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and/or effectiveness of BAQSIMI is unknown.
Study 1 (NCT03339453) was a randomized, multicenter, open-label, 2-period, crossover study in adult patients with type 1 diabetes. The efficacy of a single 3 mg dose of BAQSIMI was compared to a 1 mg dose of intra-muscular glucagon (IMG). Insulin was used to reduce blood glucose levels to <60 mg/dL. Seventy patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 41.7 years and a mean diabetes duration of 20.1 years. Twenty-seven (39%) were female.
The primary efficacy outcome measure was the proportion of patients achieving treatment success, which was defined as either an increase in blood glucose to ≥70 mg/dL or an increase of ≥20 mg/dL from glucose nadir within 30 minutes after receiving study glucagon, without receiving additional actions to increase the blood glucose level. Glucose nadir was defined as the minimum glucose measurement at the time of, or within 10 minutes, following glucagon administration.
The mean nadir blood glucose was 54.5 mg/dL for BAQSIMI and 55.8 mg/dL for IMG. BAQSIMI demonstrated non-inferiority to IMG in reversing insulin-induced hypoglycemia with 100% of BAQSIMI-treated patients and 100% of IMG-treated patients achieving treatment success. The mean time to treatment success was 11.6 and 9.9 minutes in the BAQSIMI and IMG 1 mg treatment groups, respectively.
Table 5: Adult Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Meeting Treatment Success and Other Glucose Criteria in Study 1
| Type 1 Diabetes (N=66)a |
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| BAQSIMI 3 mg | IMG 1 mg | |
| Treatment Success - n (%) | 66 (100%) | 66 (100%) |
| Treatment Difference (2-sided 95% confidence limit)b,c | 0% (-2.9%, 2.9%) | |
| Glucose criterion met - n (%) | ||
| (i) ≥70 mg/dL | 66 (100%) | 66 (100%) |
| (ii) Increase by ≥20 mg/dL from nadir | 66 (100%) | 66 (100%) |
| Both (i) and (ii) | 66 (100%) | 66 (100%) |
| a The Efficacy Analysis Population consisted of all patients who received both doses of the Study Drug with evaluable primary outcome. b Difference calculated as (percentage with success in BAQSIMI) – (percentage with success in IMG). c 2-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) of paired differences using a Wald-Min correction; non-inferiority margin = -10%. |
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Study 2 (NCT01994746) was a randomized, multicenter, open-label, 2-period, crossover study in adult patients with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. The efficacy of a single 3 mg dose of BAQSIMI was compared to a 1 mg dose of intra-muscular glucagon (IMG). Insulin was used to reduce blood glucose levels to the hypoglycemic range with a target blood glucose nadir of <50 mg/dL.
Study 2 enrolled 83 patients 18 to <65 years of age. The mean age of patients with type 1 diabetes (N=77) was 32.9 years and a mean diabetes duration of 18.1 years, and 45 (58%) patients were female. The mean age of patients with type 2 diabetes (N=6) was 47.8 years, with a mean diabetes duration of 18.8 years, and 4 (67%) patients were female.
The mean nadir blood glucose was 44.2 mg/dL for BAQSIMI and 47.2 mg/dL for IMG. BAQSIMI demonstrated non-inferiority to IMG in reversing insulin-induced hypoglycemia with 98.8% of BAQSIMI-treated patients and 100% of IMG-treated patients achieving treatment success within 30 minutes.
The mean time to treatment success was 15.9 and 12.1 minutes in the BAQSIMI and IMG 1 mg treatment groups, respectively.
Table 6: Adult Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Meeting Treatment Success and Other Glucose Criteria in Study 2
| Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes (N=80)a | ||
| BAQSIMI 3 mg | IMG 1 mg | |
| Treatment Success - n (%) | 79 (98.8%) | 80 (100%) |
| Treatment Difference (2-sided 95% confidence limit) b,c | -1.3% (-4.6%, 2.2%) | |
| Glucose criterion met - n (%)d | ||
| (i) ≥70 mg/dL | 77 (96%) | 79 (99%) |
| (ii) Increase by ≥20 mg/dL from nadir | 79 (99%) | 80 (100%) |
| Both (i) and (ii) | 77 (96%) | 79 (99%) |
| a The Efficacy Analysis Population consisted of all patients who received both doses of the Study Drug with evaluable primary outcome. b Difference calculated as (percentage with success in BAQSIMI) – (percentage with success in IMG). c 2-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) of paired differences using a Wald-Min correction; non-inferiority margin = -10%. d Percentage based on number of patients. |
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Study 3 (NCT01997411) was a randomized, multicenter, clinical study that assessed BAQSIMI compared to intra-muscular glucagon (IMG) in pediatric patients aged 4 to less than 17 years with type 1 diabetes. Insulin was used to reduce blood glucose levels, and glucagon was administered after glucose reached <80 mg/dL. Efficacy was assessed based on percentage of patients with a glucose increase of ≥20 mg/dL from glucose nadir within 30 minutes following BAQSIMI administration.
Forty-eight patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of study drug. The mean age in the Young Children cohort (4 to <8 years) was 6.5 years. In the Children cohort (8 to <12 years), mean age was 11.1 years and in the Adolescents cohort (12 to <17 years) mean age was 14.6 years. In all age cohorts, the population was predominantly male and white.
Across all age groups, all (100%) patients in both treatment arms achieved an increase in glucose ≥20 mg/dL from glucose nadir within 20 minutes of glucagon administration. The mean time to reach a glucose increase of ≥20 mg/dL for BAQSIMI and IMG for all age groups is shown in Table 7.
Table 7: Mean Time to Reach Glucose Increase of ≥20 mg/dL from Nadir in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes in Study 3
| Increase from Nadir | Mean Time Post-Glucagon Administration (minutes) | |||||
| Young Children (4 to <8 years old) | Children (8 to <12 years old) | Adolescents (12 to <17 years old) | ||||
| IMGa N=6 |
BAQSIMI 3 mg N=12 |
IMGa N=6 |
BAQSIMI 3 mg N=12 |
IMGa N=12 |
BAQSIMI 3 mg N=12 |
|
| ≥20 mg/dL | 10.8 | 10.8 | 12.5 | 11.3 | 12.5 | 14.2 |
| a 0.5 mg or 1 mg of IMG (based upon body weight) | ||||||
Study 4 (NCT04992312) was a phase 1, open-label, multi-center single-arm study with a primary objective of assessing the safety and tolerability of a single 3 mg dose of BAQSIMI in pediatric patients aged 1 to less than 4 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Patients were recommended to fast overnight before the dosing visit on Day 1, to achieve the target range glucose of 70 to 140 mg/dL (3.9 to 7.8 mmol/L) at baseline. Efficacy was assessed based on the percentage of patients with a glucose increase of ≥20 mg/dL from baseline within 30 minutes following BAQSIMI administration.
Seven patients were enrolled in the study, all received the planned 3 mg dose of BAQSIMI and completed the study. The mean age of the patients enrolled in the study was 2.98 years, with ages ranging from 1.8 to 4 years old. There were 4 males and 3 females enrolled in the study, all who were white.
All (100%) patients achieved an increase in glucose ≥20 mg/dL from baseline within 30 minutes of BAQSIMI administration.
BAQSIMI®
(BAK-see-mee)
(glucagon) nasal powder
What is BAQSIMI?
BAQSIMI is a prescription medicine used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes ages 1 year and above.
It is not known if BAQSIMI is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age.
Do not use BAQSIMI if you:
Talk with your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you have any of these conditions.
Before using BAQSIMI, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How should I use BAQSIMI?
What are the possible side effects of BAQSIMI?
BAQSIMI may cause serious side effects, including:
The most common side effects of BAQSIMI include:
These are not all the possible side effects of BAQSIMI. For more information, ask your healthcare provider.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800FDA-1088.
How should I store BAQSIMI?
Keep BAQSIMI and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General Information about the safe and effective use of BAQSIMI.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use BAQSIMI for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give BAQSIMI to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about BAQSIMI that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in BAQSIMI?
Active Ingredient: glucagon
Inactive Ingredients: betadex and dodecylphosphocholine
This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
