For Healthcare Providers

What is Baqsimi

What is BAQSIMI?

BAQSIMI is a treatment that can be given in a low blood sugar emergency (severe hypoglycemia). It is a powder form of glucagon given in the nose when the person is unable to eat or drink. It can be given even if the person is unconscious because it does not need to be inhaled.

Unlike injectable glucagon, BAQSIMI is ready to use and does not need to be mixed or measured.

How does BAQSIMI work?

BAQSIMI contains glucagon, which is a naturally occurring hormone that works by telling your liver to bring blood sugar back up. The glucagon in BAQSIMI is the same active ingredient that has been around for decades.

Continue to When to Use BAQSIMI?

Indications and Important Safety Information

Clinical use:
BAQSIMI has not been studied in pediatric patients less than 4 years old.

Limited clinical trial experience has not identified difference in responses between elderly (≥65 years of age) and younger patients.

Contraindications:

  • Hypersensitivity to glucagon or to any ingredient in the formulation or container
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Insulinoma

 

Most serious warnings and precautions:
Lack of response: BAQSIMI should be given only in patients where impaired consciousness precludes oral carbohydrates. After intranasal administration of BAQSIMI, the patient will normally respond within 15 minutes. If the patient does not respond within 15 minutes, intravenous glucose must be administered as soon as IV access can be established.

States of starvation, adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia: Because glucagon is of little or no help in these cases, intravenous glucose should be used for the treatment of hypoglycemia in these conditions.

Other relevant warnings and precautions:

  • Cardiovascular effects
  • Driving and operating machinery
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Insulinoma
  • Sensitivity and resistance to glucagon
  • Pregnant women
  • Breast-feeding
  • Pediatrics (<4 years of age)
  • Geriatrics (≥65 years of age)
  • Use in patients with Type 2 diabetes taking sulfonylureas
  • Use with alcohol
  • Monitoring and laboratory tests

 

For more information:
Consult the Product Monograph at https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00074561.PDF for additional important information relating to warnings and precautions, adverse reactions, drug interactions and dosing information which have not been discussed in this piece. The Product Monograph is also available by calling 1-800-423-4136.

Indications and Important Safety Information

Clinical use:
BAQSIMI has not been studied in pediatric patients less than 4 years old.

Limited clinical trial experience has not identified difference in responses between elderly (≥65 years of age) and younger patients.

Contraindications:

  • Hypersensitivity to glucagon or to any ingredient in the formulation or container
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Insulinoma

 

Most serious warnings and precautions:
Lack of response: BAQSIMI should be given only in patients where impaired consciousness precludes oral carbohydrates. After intranasal administration of BAQSIMI, the patient will normally respond within 15 minutes. If the patient does not respond within 15 minutes, intravenous glucose must be administered as soon as IV access can be established.

States of starvation, adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia: Because glucagon is of little or no help in these cases, intravenous glucose should be used for the treatment of hypoglycemia in these conditions.

Other relevant warnings and precautions:

  • Cardiovascular effects
  • Driving and operating machinery
  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Insulinoma
  • Sensitivity and resistance to glucagon
  • Pregnant women
  • Breast-feeding
  • Pediatrics (<4 years of age)
  • Geriatrics (≥65 years of age)
  • Use in patients with Type 2 diabetes taking sulfonylureas
  • Use with alcohol
  • Monitoring and laboratory tests

 

For more information:
Consult the Product Monograph at https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00074561.PDF for additional important information relating to warnings and precautions, adverse reactions, drug interactions and dosing information which have not been discussed in this piece. The Product Monograph is also available by calling 1-800-423-4136.