A Complete Guide on How to use ZEGALOGUE for Severe Hypoglycemia

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Many people recover from severe hypoglycemia within 10 to 15 minutes of a ZEGALOGUE injection, but knowing the correct procedure is critical for a fast and effective response. This guide provides comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on how to use ZEGALOGUE safely during a diabetic emergency.

Quick Summary

This article details the proper administration of ZEGALOGUE for severe hypoglycemia using its autoinjector or prefilled syringe. It covers pre-emergency preparation, correct injection sites, post-injection care, and critical next steps for a caregiver or patient.

Key Points

Pre-Emergency Prep: Ensure caregivers know where ZEGALOGUE is stored and are trained on its use before an emergency occurs.
Injection Site: The correct injection sites are the lower abdomen, buttocks, thigh, or outer upper arm.
Emergency Response: Immediately after injection, call 911 and roll an unconscious person onto their side.
Repeat Dose: If the patient does not respond after 15 minutes, an additional dose of ZEGALOGUE from a new device may be administered if available.
Post-Recovery Nutrition: Once the person can safely eat, provide a combination of fast-acting and long-acting carbohydrates.
Contraindications: Do not use ZEGALOGUE if the patient has a pheochromocytoma or insulinoma.
Ready-to-Use: Unlike traditional kits, ZEGALOGUE comes premixed and is ready for injection in a prefilled autoinjector or syringe.

What is ZEGALOGUE?

ZEGALOGUE (dasiglucagon) is a prescription medication used to treat severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar) in individuals with diabetes aged 6 and older. Unlike older glucagon products that require mixing, ZEGALOGUE is ready-to-use and comes as a prefilled autoinjector or syringe. It works by prompting the liver to release stored glucose, thus increasing blood sugar levels.

Before an Emergency: What to Prepare

Being prepared for a severe hypoglycemic event is essential. Both the patient and potential caregivers should be ready to act.

Read Instructions: Review the "Instructions For Use" that accompany the ZEGALOGUE device beforehand to become familiar with its operation.
Inform Others: Show family, friends, and colleagues where ZEGALOGUE is kept and how to administer it. Since a person experiencing severe hypoglycemia may be unable to inject themselves, another person will likely need to give the injection.
Check Expiration: Always verify the expiration date on the protective case and replace the device before it expires.
Inspect Solution: Examine the liquid through the viewing window; it should appear clear, colorless, or pale yellow, and be free of particles. Do not use if it is discolored or contains matter.
Storage: Keep ZEGALOGUE in its protective case, away from light. It can be stored in a refrigerator (36°F to 46°F or 2°C to 8°C) or at room temperature (68°F to 77°F or 20°C to 25°C) for up to 12 months. Note the date when stored at room temperature and discard after 12 months or the original expiration date, whichever comes first. Avoid refreezing.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Use ZEGALOGUE

The administration method varies slightly between the autoinjector and the prefilled syringe.

Using the Autoinjector

Remove the autoinjector from the protective case after lifting off the gray lid.
Pull the gray cap straight off, being careful not to touch the yellow needle guard.
Choose an injection site on bare skin from the lower abdomen, buttocks, thigh, or outer upper arm. Do not inject through clothing.
Press the yellow needle guard firmly and straight down against the skin until you hear a click.
Continue holding the autoinjector down for a count of 10 seconds. The medicine window will become red, and a second click may be heard.
Lift the autoinjector straight up; the yellow needle guard will extend to cover the needle.

Using the Prefilled Syringe

Remove the syringe from the red protective case after removing the gray lid.
Pull the gray needle cover straight off, ensuring not to bend the needle.
Select a bare skin injection site on the lower abdomen, buttocks, thigh, or outer upper arm.
Pinch the skin at the site and insert the needle at a 45-degree angle.
Release the pinched skin and slowly push the plunger until the syringe is empty.
Withdraw the needle from the injection site.

After the Injection: The Next Critical Steps

Following the injection, immediate actions are necessary to ensure the patient's well-being and recovery.

Call Emergency Services: Immediately dial 911 or your local emergency number after giving the injection. Professional medical help is needed even if the person regains consciousness.
Position Unconscious Patient: If the person is unconscious, turn them onto their side to prevent choking if they vomit.
Consider Second Dose: If the person has not responded after 15 minutes and a second dose is available, it may be administered.
Provide Carbohydrates: Once the person is awake and can safely eat or drink, offer a fast-acting sugar source (like juice) followed by a long-acting carbohydrate (like crackers with peanut butter).
Replace Device: After use, replace the used device with a new one to be prepared for future emergencies.

ZEGALOGUE vs. Traditional Glucagon Kits


Feature	ZEGALOGUE (Dasiglucagon)	Traditional Glucagon (e.g., GlucaGen)
Preparation	Prefilled and ready-to-use	Requires mixing powder with liquid before use
Ease of Use	Simpler, lower risk of error in emergencies	More complex due to mixing and drawing steps
Dosage Information	Specific dosage information should be obtained from a healthcare professional	Dosage requires calculation based on factors like age and weight
Speed of Action	Many recover within 10-15 minutes	Recovery time can vary, impacted by preparation time
Age Range	Approved for age 6 and older	Approved for all ages
Storage	Refrigerator or up to 12 months at room temperature	Often requires refrigeration; solution is unstable after mixing and must be used immediately

Who Should Not Use ZEGALOGUE?

ZEGALOGUE is not suitable for individuals with certain medical conditions:

Pheochromocytoma: A tumor affecting the adrenal gland. ZEGALOGUE can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure in these patients.
Insulinoma: A pancreatic tumor that produces insulin. ZEGALOGUE might initially raise blood glucose but could lead to a severe and prolonged drop.
Inadequate Glycogen Stores: ZEGALOGUE is ineffective in individuals with insufficient liver glycogen due to conditions like starvation, adrenal insufficiency, or chronic hypoglycemia.

Conclusion

Understanding how to use ZEGALOGUE is crucial for managing severe hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. Its ready-to-use form in both autoinjector and prefilled syringe simplifies administration during an emergency. By following the correct steps for preparation, injection, and post-injection care, caregivers can respond effectively and potentially prevent serious complications from a hypoglycemic event.

Authoritative Outbound Link

FDA-Approved Patient Information for Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)

Frequently Asked Questions

Both devices contain the same ready-to-use liquid solution. The autoinjector is an automatic, push-and-hold device, while the prefilled syringe requires the caregiver to manually pinch the skin and slowly depress the plunger after inserting the needle.

Immediately call 911 or your local emergency medical service. If the person is unconscious, turn them onto their side to prevent choking in case of vomiting.

In clinical trials, many people saw their blood sugar levels rise within 10 minutes, with most recovering within 15 minutes. It's important to note that recovery times can vary.

Once the person is able to safely eat and swallow, they should consume a fast-acting source of sugar (like fruit juice) followed by a long-acting source (like crackers with peanut butter) to replenish glycogen stores.

No, you must visually inspect the solution before administering. It should be clear and colorless. If it is discolored or contains particles, do not use it.

ZEGALOGUE should be stored in the red protective case it comes in, away from light. It can be kept in a refrigerator until the expiration date, or at room temperature for up to 12 months. Do not return it to the refrigerator after it has been stored at room temperature.

Yes. If there has been no response after 15 minutes, an additional dose of ZEGALOGUE from a new device may be administered while waiting for emergency services to arrive.