The laboratory response to glucagon dosages used in gastrointestinal examinations

Laboratory studies occasionally are necessary for patients who have undergone hypotonic gastrointestinal examinations. To ascertain the effects of glucagon on these patients, we determined the biochemical and hematologic responses to doses of 0.25-2 mg of glucagon in a double-blind crossover study. When glucagon was given intravenously or intramuscularly in increasing doses, serum values for glucose and insulin increased linearly up to 1 mg with a slight decrease at 2 mg. After intravenous and intramuscular administration of glucagon, the white blood cell count and the percentage of neutrophiles and bands increased, and the percentage of lymphocytes decreased. Reports of side effects included one each of nausea and mouth dryness after intravenous glucagon and four reports of nausea and one of mouth dryness after intramuscular glucagon. No changes in the pulse and blood pressure could be attributed to glucagon administration.