title: Glucagon for refractory asthma exacerbation.
abstract: Glucagon, a hormone secreted by pancreatic alpha cells, causes bronchial smooth muscle relaxation by activating the synthesis of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. It was studied in the 1980s and 1990s as a treatment option for the management of asthma but has since not been evaluated. Data to support its use are limited, but it may serve as a last-line agent for refractory asthma exacerbation. Here we describe 4 cases in which intravenous glucagon was used to manage severe, refractory asthma exacerbation in the emergency department.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ.
authors.forename: Jillian M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cavallari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ.
authors.forename: Tara S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Jawaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ. Electronic address: nadia.awad@rwjuh.edu.
authors.forename: Nadia I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Awad
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ; Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bridgeman
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D000068600:Albuterol, Ipratropium Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000068600:Albuterol, Ipratropium Drug Combination; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000932:Antiemetics; D006728:Hormones; D005934:Glucagon