Indications & Dose:
- hypoglycemia from insulin overdose or insulin/insulin-like analog secreting tumors: 50ng/kg bolus then 5-15ng/kg/min, can increase up to 40ng/kg/min
- beta blocker and calcium channel blocker toxicity: 0.05 to 0.150 mg/kg over 1-2 min; if HR and BP improve within 5 minutes follow with 0.05 – 0.15mg/kg/h CRI
- food impaction (possibly decreases lower esophageal sphincter tone – controversial)
Preparation:
- Dilute to 1000ng/mL in 0.9% NaCl
Side effects:
- nausea, vomiting
- hypokalemia
- hyperglycemia
Mechanism of action:
- polypeptide hormone secreted from pancreatic islets – increases blood glucose by promoting hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis
- increases cAMP via unknown mechanisms – positive inotropic and chronotropic properties
- gastrointestinal smooth muscle relaxant (including lower oesophageal sphincter)