Emerging treatments
Newer glucagon formulations
Newer formulations of glucagon are available in some countries. These formulations are easier to use in hypoglycaemic emergencies compared with the traditional parenteral formulation, which requires several steps for reconstitution. An intranasal powder inhalation device is approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of severe hypoglycaemia in patients aged 1 year and above with diabetes. A pre-filled subcutaneous autoinjector pen is also approved in these regions for the treatment of severe hypoglycaemia in patients aged 2 years and above with diabetes. Another option, a pre-filled subcutaneous autoinjector containing the glucagon analogue dasiglucagon, is approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of severe hypoglycaemia in patients aged 6 years and above with diabetes. Dasiglucagon has a shelf-life of 36 months when refrigerated and remains stable for up to 12 months at room temperature. To date, there are no data on the use of these newer formulations in the inpatient setting, and their use is currently limited to outpatient care. However, their onset of action and efficacy in treating hypoglycaemia have been shown to be non-inferior to the more traditional glucagon rescue kit.[63][64]
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