Glucagon

Also known as: GlucaGen, Gvoke, Baqsimi

Pancreatic hormone used as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia and as a radiology diagnostic aid. FDA-approved since 1960. Prescription.

Last updated October 26, 2026

Mechanism of Action

Glucagon is a 29-amino-acid peptide hormone made by pancreatic alpha cells. It binds the glucagon receptor on liver cells, raising cyclic AMP and driving glycogen breakdown and new glucose production, which raises blood glucose quickly. It also relaxes smooth muscle of the stomach and intestine, which is why it is used as a diagnostic aid during radiologic exams.

Half-life: ~8-18 minutes
Administration Routes: Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, Intravenous, Intranasal
Research Status: Clinical

Reported Benefits

Emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia (injection, autoinjector or nasal powder)
Temporarily inhibits gut movement as a diagnostic aid in radiology
Can be given by trained caregivers outside hospital

Potential Side Effects

Nausea and vomiting
Headache
Transient rise in heart rate and blood pressure
Necrolytic migratory erythema with prolonged infusion (warning)
Hypertensive crisis in pheochromocytoma; rebound hypoglycemia in insulinoma

Common Dosing

Rescue products are labeled as a single fixed dose (by injection or as a 3 mg nasal powder), with dose for injectable forms based on age or weight; diagnostic use is given by clinicians during imaging. Prescribing, training and dosing are supervised by the prescribing clinician.

The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.

Contraindications

Pheochromocytoma
Insulinoma
Known hypersensitivity to glucagon

No documented stacking partners for Glucagon yet.

Intranasal Glucagon for Treatment of Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Crossover Noninferiority Study
2016
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Comparison of a ready-to-use liquid glucagon injection administered by autoinjector to glucagon emergency kit for the symptomatic relief of severe hypoglycemia: two randomized crossover non-inferiority studies
2021
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Yes. Glucagon has been FDA-approved since 1960. Newer forms include the ready-to-use Gvoke injection (2019) and Baqsimi nasal powder (2019).

It works by releasing glucose stored in the liver, so it may be less effective when liver glycogen is depleted, such as during starvation, adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia.