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GVOKE
(glucagon) Injection
GVOKE contains glucagon, an antihypoglycemic agent used to treat severe hypoglycemia. Glucagon is a single chain containing 29 amino acid residues and has a molecular weight of 3483 and is identical to human glucagon. Glucagon is produced by solid phase synthesis with subsequent purification.
Its molecular formula is C153H225N43O49S with the following structure:
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GVOKE is a clear, colorless to pale yellow, sterile solution for subcutaneous injection available in 0.5 mg per 0.1 mL or 1 mg per 0.2 mL auto-injector or pre-filled syringe.
Each 0.2 mL of GVOKE contains 1 mg of glucagon, 11.1 mg of trehalose dihydrate USP and 1.2 mg of 1N sulfuric acid, NF in dimethyl sulfoxide diluent.
Each 0.1 mL of GVOKE contains 0.5 mg of glucagon, 5.6 mg of trehalose dihydrate USP and 0.6 mg of 1N sulfuric acid, NF in dimethyl sulfoxide diluent.
GVOKE is indicated for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in pediatric and adult patients with diabetes ages 2 years and above.
GVOKE auto-injector and pre-filled syringe are for subcutaneous injection only.
Instruct patients and their caregivers on the signs and symptoms of severe hypoglycemia. Because severe hypoglycemia requires the help of others to recover, instruct the patient to inform those around them about GVOKE and its Instructions for Use. Administer GVOKE 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 GVOKE. Emphasize the following instructions to the patient or caregiver:
GVOKE injection is a clear, colorless to pale yellow solution available as follows:
GVOKE injection is supplied as a clear, colorless to pale yellow solution in the following configurations:
| GVOKE | Strength | Package Size | NDC number |
| HypoPen | 0.5 mg per 0.1 mL | 1 single-dose auto-injector | 72065-120-11 |
| HypoPen | 0.5 mg per 0.1 mL | 2 single-dose auto-injectors | 72065-120-12 |
| HypoPen | 1 mg per 0.2 mL | 1 single-dose auto-injector | 72065-121-11 |
| HypoPen | 1 mg per 0.2 mL | 2 single-dose auto-injectors | 72065-121-12 |
| PFS | 0.5 mg per 0.1 mL | 1 single-dose pre-filled syringe | 72065-130-11 |
| PFS | 0.5 mg per 0.1 mL | 2 single-dose pre-filled syringes | 72065-130-12 |
| PFS | 1 mg per 0.2 mL | 1 single-dose pre-filled syringe | 72065-131-11 |
| PFS | 1 mg per 0.2 mL | 2 single-dose pre-filled syringes | 72065-131-12 |
Manufactured for Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by Pyramid Laboratories Inc., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Revised: Sep 2019
The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in labeling:
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of GVOKE cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of other drugs and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The safety of GVOKE was evaluated in two randomized, blinded, 2-way crossover studies conducted in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus. In total, 154 patients received an injection of GVOKE [see Clinical Studies].
The most common adverse reactions occurring in 2% or more of adult subjects treated with GVOKE during clinical trials are listed in Table 1.
Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring ≥ 2% in Adult Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Treated with GVOKEa
| GVOKE 1 mg dose (N = 154) |
|
| Nausea | 30% |
| Vomiting | 16% |
| Injection site edema raised 1 mm or greater | 7% |
| Headache | 5% |
| aAdverse Reactions occurring within 12 hours. | |
Injection site pain was reported by 1% of patients with GVOKE.
Hypertension and tachycardia have occurred with glucagon treatment.
The safety of GVOKE was evaluated in one single-arm, open-label, study in 31 pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies].
The data in Table 2 reflect the exposure of 31 pediatric patients to 0.5 mg or 1 mg of GVOKE. The most common adverse reactions occurring in 2% or greater of pediatric patients treated with GVOKE are listed in Table 2.
Table 2: Adverse Reactions Occuring ≥ 2% in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Treated with GVOKEa
| Ages 2 to under 6 years of age (0.5 mg dose) N =7 |
Ages 6 to under 12 years of age (0.5 mg dose) N = 13 |
Ages 12 to under 18 (1 mg dose) N = 11 |
Total N = 31 |
|
| Nausea | 43% | 54% | 36% | 45% |
| Hypoglycemia | 29% | 54% | 27% | 39% |
| Vomiting | 14% | 23% | 18% | 19% |
| Headache | 0% | 15% | 0% | 7% |
| Abdominal pain | 0% | 8% | 0% | 3% |
| Hyperglycemia | 14% | 8% | 0% | 7% |
| Injection site discomfort | 0% | 8% | 0% | 3% |
| Injection site reaction | 0% | 0% | 9% | 3% |
| Urticaria | 0% | 8% | 0% | 3% |
| aAdverse Reactions occurring within 12 hours. | ||||
Additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of glucagon. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Patients taking beta-blockers may have a transient increase in pulse and blood pressure when given GVOKE.
In patients taking indomethacin, GVOKE may lose its ability to raise blood glucose or may even produce hypoglycemia.
GVOKE may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
GVOKE is contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma because glucagon may stimulate the release of catecholamines from the tumor [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. 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, glucagon 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 [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. 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 [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
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 (glucagon-producing tumors) and characterized by scaly, pruritic erythematous plaques, bullae, and erosions, has been reported postmarketing following continuous glucagon infusion. NME lesions may affect the face, groin, perineum and legs or be more widespread. In the reported cases NME resolved with discontinuation of the glucagon, and treatment with corticosteroids was not effective. Should NME occur, consider whether the benefits of continuous glucagon infusion outweigh the risks.
Glucagon administered to patients with glucagonoma may cause secondary hyoplycemia. Test patients suspected of having glucagonoma for blood levels of glucagon prior to treatment, and monitor for changes in blood glucose levels during treatement. If a patient develops symptoms of hypoglycemia after a dose of Glucagon for Injection, give glucose orally or intravenously.
Advise the patient and family members or caregivers to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (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.
Review the Patient Information and Instructions for Use with the patient and family members or caregivers.
Inform patients that allergic reactions can occur with GVOKE. 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 GVOKE for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes have been established in pediatric patients ages 2 years and above. Use of GVOKE for this indication is supported by evidence from a study in 31 pediatric patients ages 2 and older with type 1 diabetes mellitus [see Clinical Studies].
The safety and effectiveness of GVOKE have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 2 years of age.
Clinical studies of GVOKE did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Limited clinical trial experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger 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 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.
GVOKE 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 1 mg GVOKE in adult patients with diabetes, the mean maximum glucose increase from baseline was 176 mg/dL.
Figure 1: Mean ± Standard Error of the Mean (SEM) Plasma Glucose vs. Time from 1 mg GVOKE Injection in Adult Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
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In pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (2 to less than 18 years), the mean maximum glucose increase from baseline was 134 mg/dL (2 to less than 6 years), 145 mg/dL (6 to less than 12 years), and 123 mg/dL (12 to less than 18 years).
Figure 2: Mean (± SEM) Plasma Glucose vs. Time from GVOKE Injection in Pediatric Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
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Subcutaneous injection of 1 mg GVOKE in adult type 1 diabetes mellitus subjects resulted in a mean glucagon Cmax of 2481.3 pg/mL, tmax of 50 minutes and AUC0-240min of 3454.6 pg*min/mL.
Figure 3: Mean (± SEM) Plasma Glucagon Concentration vs. Time for 1 mg GVOKE Injection in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
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The apparent volume of distribution was in the range of 137-2425 L.
The half-life of GVOKE was determined to be 32 minutes.
Metabolism
Glucagon is extensively degraded in liver, kidney, and plasma.
Excretion
Urinary excretion of intact glucagon has not been measured.
Subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mg GVOKE in subjects ages 2 to under 6 years resulted in a mean glucagon Cmax of 2300 pg/mL, tmax of 41 minutes, and AUC0-180min of 1389 pg/mL*min. Subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mg GVOKE in subjects ages 6 to under 12 years resulted in a mean Cmax of 1600 pg/mL, median tmax of 34 minutes and AUC0-180min of 1047 pg/mL*min. Subcutaneous injection of 1 mg GVOKE in subjects ages 12 to less than 18 years resulted in a mean Cmax of 1900 pg/mL, tmax of 51 minutes AUC0-180min of 1343 pg/mL*min. Mean plasma glucagon levels were similar across the age groups following age appropriate doses of GVOKE.
Figure 4: Mean (± SEM) Plasma Glucagon Concentration vs. Time from GVOKE Injection in Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
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GVOKE was evaluated in adult patients aged 18 to 74 years with type 1 diabetes in two multi-center 2-way crossover studies, Study A was double-blinded with 80 patients, and Study B was single-blinded with 81 patients. Both studies involved 2 clinic visits 7 to 28 days apart, with random assignment to receive GVOKE 1 mg during one session and GEK 1 mg during the other. 154 subjects received an injection of GVOKE and 157 subjects received an injection of GEK. A total of 152 subjects received both GVOKE and GEK.
The efficacy of GVOKE was compared to GEK in subjects who were in a state of insulin-induced hypoglycemia via insulin infusion with target plasma glucose less than 50 mg/dL. In Study A, mean plasma glucose at time of glucagon administration was 44.8 mg/dL and 45.2 mg/dL for GVOKE and GEK, respectively. In Study B, mean plasma glucose at time of glucagon administration was 47.7 mg/dL and 48.7 mg/dL for GVOKE and GEK, respectively.
Treatment ‘success’ was defined as plasma glucose increase from mean value at time of glucagon administration to absolute value greater than 70 mg/dL or relative increase of 20 mg/dL or greater, at 30 minutes after glucagon administration. In a pooled analysis of Study A and Study B, the proportion of patients who achieved treatment ‘success’ was 98.7 % in the GVOKE group and 100% in the GEK group and the comparison between groups met the prespecified non-inferiority margin. A summary of treatment ‘success’ rates is shown in Table 3.
The mean time to treatment ‘success’ was 13.8 minutes in the GVOKE group and 10 minutes in the GEK group.
Table 3: Adult Patients Meeting Treatment Success in Studies A and B Combined
| Study A (n=80) | Study B (n=81) | Pooled Studies A and B (n=161)b |
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| GVOKE | GEK | GVOKE | GEK | GVOKE | GEK | |
| Treatment Success-n (%) | 76 (97 %) | 79 (100%) | 76 (100%) | 78 (100%) | 152 (99%) | 157 (100%) |
| Glucose criteria met- n (%) | ||||||
| Greater than 70 mg/dL | 74 (95%) | 79 (100%) | 76 (100%) | 78 (100%) | 150 (97%) | 157 (100%) |
| 20 mg/dL or greater increase from baseline | 76 (97%) | 79 (100%) | 76 (100%) | 78 (100%) | 152 (99%) | 157 (100%) |
| a Treatment success is defines as blood glucose greater than 70 mg/dL or an increase of blood glucose by 20 mg/dL or greater from baseline. The efficacy analysis population consisted of all patients who received both doses of the study drug. bPercentage based on number of patients from both studies. |
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GVOKE was evaluated in a study in 31 pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Patients were administered insulin to induce a plasma glucose of less than 80 mg/dL. Patients ages 2 to under 6 years and 6 to under 12 years of age then received a 0.5 mg dose of GVOKE. Patients ages 12 and older received a 0.5 mg or 1 mg dose of GVOKE.
All evaluable pediatric patients (30/30) achieved a target glucose increase of at least 25 mg/dL. Following administration, plasma glucose levels over time showed similar glucose responses for patients in each age group. A summary of plasma glucose results are shown in Table 4.
Table 4: Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Plasma Glucose by Age Group
| Age Group | GVOKE Dose | Plasma Glucose (mg/dL) Mean (SD) | ||
| Baseline | 30 minutes | Change | ||
| 2 to under 6 years (n=7) | 0.5 mg | 68.1 (8.3) | 149.6 (15.2) | 81.4 (18.3) |
| 6 to under 12 years (n=13) | 0.5 mg | 71.6 (7.6) | 155.8 (26.5) | 84.2 (25.3) |
| 12 to under 18 years (n=11) | 0.5 mg | 75.2(2.1) | 128.1(20.46) | 52.9(19.88) |
| 1 mg | 74.5(4.84) | 129.5 (29.5) | 55 (27.3) | |
| SD=standard deviation | ||||
No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS sections.
