F - 17 - Glucagon

Question 1

Antigypoglycemic action of glucagon.

Answer 1

Acts to enzymatically cleave glucose from glycogen stores in liver/muscle via phosphorylation of enzymes.

Liver is 1* regulator of overall BGL. Muscle glycogen is 1* for the metabolic needs of muscle.

Question 2

Mechanism of glucagon in CCB/Beta blocker overdose.

Answer 2

Acts as a (+) inotrope and chronotrope in a yet understood mechanism.

Question 3

As an antihypoglycemic, what is the adult dose of glucagon?

Answer 3

1 mg IM/IN

Question 4

As an antidote for CCB/beta blocker OD, what is the adult dose of glucagon?

Answer 4

4 mg IV. May require a 1-4 mg/hr IV infusion.

Question 5

Serious glucagon side effects

Answer 5

HyperTN - 2/2 the positive ino/chronotropic effects

anginal chest pain in patients with cardiac disease - 2/2 mechanism listed above

Question 6

Common side effect of glucagon admininstration

Answer 6

N/V - relaxation of GI smooth muscle

Question 7

Common Med interaction of glucagon

Answer 7

Decreased anti hypoglycemic action in concomitant beta blocker use

Question 8

Patients should be premeditated with _______ Prior to glucagon admininstration

Answer 8

Ondansetron

Question 9

Contraindications of glucagon admininstration.

Answer 9

• Pheochromocytoma
• insulinoma
• Hypersensitivity

Question 10

“Caution” of glucagon admininstration.

Answer 10

Hx of coronary artery disease

This is due to the (+) ino and chronotropic effect of glucagon

Question 11

Explain the concern of glucagon administration w/pheochromocytoma.

Answer 11

• Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal medulla of paraganglia (paravertebral = sympathetic NS)
  - phaios (dusky), chroma (color), cytoma (tumor)
• Pheochromocytoma produces increased catecholamine release (NE/Epi)