At a glance
| Product | Zegalogue |
|---|---|
| Use | Severe hypoglycemia in diabetes |
| Age scope | 6 years and older |
| Route | Subcutaneous rescue injection |
| Requirement | Adequate hepatic glycogen |
Overview
Marketed as Zegalogue, dasiglucagon provides a stable liquid glucagon formulation for situations in which a person cannot safely manage severe low glucose themselves. Its purpose is rapid rescue, not routine adjustment of daily diabetes control. Severe hypoglycemia can involve confusion, seizures or unconsciousness, so a rescue plan includes caregiver recognition and emergency assistance. The product differs from older glucagon kits that require preparation, and from nasal glucagon. Those differences concern delivery and handling as well as the active molecule; products must be used according to their own instructions.
How it works
Dasiglucagon binds the glucagon receptor in liver cells and stimulates glycogen breakdown, releasing glucose into the circulation. It has amino-acid substitutions that improve stability in an aqueous formulation while retaining glucagon activity. A response requires sufficient stored liver glycogen. Prolonged fasting, starvation, adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia can reduce that reserve and make glucagon rescue less effective.
When it is used
The FDA indication is severe hypoglycemia in adults and children aged six or older with diabetes. It is not an obesity medicine or a substitute for preventing recurrent low-glucose episodes through review of the diabetes regimen.
Supporting sources [1]
What the pivotal trial measured
A randomized phase 3 trial used controlled insulin-induced hypoglycemia and measured time to plasma-glucose recovery. Dasiglucagon produced faster recovery than placebo, supporting emergency rescue efficacy. The controlled study environment does not remove the need for emergency help in actual severe events.
Supporting sources [2]
Contraindications and adverse effects
Nausea, vomiting, headache and injection-site discomfort occur. Pheochromocytoma is a contraindication because glucagon activity can provoke marked blood-pressure increases; insulinoma is also a contraindication because an initial glucose rise can trigger excessive insulin release. Serious allergic reactions are possible.
Supporting sources [1]
Why rescue may fail
Glucagon cannot create a useful glucose response without adequate hepatic glycogen. Persistent or recurrent hypoglycemia requires further medical assessment. The cause of the episode, ongoing insulin action and nutritional status matter even when the initial glucose response is satisfactory.
Supporting sources [1]
A rescue medicine needs a rescue plan
Caregivers need to know where the device is kept and how its specific mechanism works. Product availability and an unexpired device do not ensure that an unfamiliar bystander can use it correctly during an emergency.
Supporting sources [1]
Reading this profile
Jurisdiction: United States — FDA-approved prescription medicine; indication and formulation restrictions apply.. Molecular class: Stable glucagon analog peptide.
This profile was written with AI-assisted research and checked against the linked sources. It has not been represented as a clinician’s review. Evidence summaries describe the cited studies and products; they do not establish that a separately purchased preparation is equivalent.
Sources & references
Follow the original material. Product labels define specific formulations and uses; trial registration describes a study and does not by itself establish benefit.
- FDA: Zegalogue prescribing information, 2026 ↗Regulatory source · Checked 2026-10-27
- Dasiglucagon-A Next-Generation Glucagon Analog for Rapid and Effective Treatment of Severe Hypoglycemia: Results of Phase 3 Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial. ↗Original research · Checked 2026-10-27