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Metabolic & weight

Glucagon

Also called Glucagon Emergency Kit, GlucaGen, Baqsimi (nasal), Gvoke

Glucagon is a pancreatic hormone that does the opposite of insulin: it tells the liver to release stored sugar. As a drug it is used as an emergency rescue for severe low blood sugar in people with diabetes, and doctors also use it to relax the gut during X-ray exams.

FDA-approvedApproved by the FDA for at least one use after large human trials.

All printable flashcards

Drawn from its published sequence: 29 residues, one bead each.

Overview

Glucagon is a pancreatic hormone that does the opposite of insulin: it tells the liver to release stored sugar. As a drug it is used as an emergency rescue for severe low blood sugar in people with diabetes, and doctors also use it to relax the gut during X-ray exams.

How it works

Established: glucagon activates glucagon receptors in the liver, breaking down stored glycogen into glucose and raising blood sugar. It only works if the liver has enough glycogen, so it helps little in starvation, adrenal insufficiency or chronic low blood sugar. It also relaxes smooth muscle of the stomach and intestine, which is why it is used as a diagnostic aid in radiology.

What research shows

  • Nasal glucagon 3 mg was approved based on adult and pediatric (age 4+) trials; common effects were nausea, headache, vomiting and nose/upper airway irritation (Baqsimi label).

Doses studied in people

Study or labelDose usedSource
FDA label, severe hypoglycemia — adults and children over 20 kg (Glucagon for Injection)1 mg by subcutaneous, intramuscular or IV injection; may repeat if no response in 15 minutes1
FDA label, severe hypoglycemia — children under 20 kg0.5 mg, or 20–30 mcg/kg1
FDA label, diagnostic aid in GI radiology0.25–0.5 mg IV or 1–2 mg IM, depending on the exam1
FDA label, nasal glucagon (Baqsimi), age 4+3 mg into one nostril; second dose from a new device after 15 minutes if needed2

Doses shown are from FDA labels for emergency and diagnostic use.

Read this first: these are the amounts given to participants in published studies or written on official prescribing labels, reported for reference. They are not recommendations. Trial doses were chosen for specific patients under medical supervision, and a dose that is safe in one person can be harmful in another.

Safety

  • Nausea and vomiting are the most common reactions (label); nasal form also causes headache and upper airway irritation (Baqsimi label: nausea 26%, headache 18%, vomiting 15% in adults).
  • Contraindicated in pheochromocytoma (can trigger a dangerous blood pressure spike) and known hypersensitivity (label).
  • In insulinoma, glucagon can cause an initial sugar rise followed by rebound low blood sugar (label).
  • Necrolytic migratory erythema (skin rash) reported with continuous infusion (label).

Report side effects of any drug or product to the FDA through MedWatch. For a possible poisoning in the US, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

History

Glucagon was first approved for medical use in the US in 1960. Later forms include a nasal powder (Baqsimi) approved in 2019 for people 4 years and older.

Common questions

Is glucagon FDA-approved?

Yes. It was first approved in the US in 1960 3. A nasal powder version, Baqsimi, followed in 2019 for people 4 years and older 2.

What is glucagon used for?

It treats severe low blood sugar by making the liver release stored sugar 1. Because it also relaxes the stomach and gut, it is used as a diagnostic aid during some X-ray exams 1.

What doses appear on the FDA labels?

For severe low blood sugar, the injection label lists 1 mg for adults and children over 20 kg and 0.5 mg for smaller children 1. The nasal label lists 3 mg into one nostril for ages 4 and up 2. These are label figures, not advice.

What are the side effects of glucagon?

Nausea and vomiting are the most common 1. In adult nasal-powder studies, nausea affected 26%, headache 18% and vomiting 15%, and nose irritation was also common 2.

Who should not use glucagon?

The label lists pheochromocytoma, an adrenal tumor where glucagon can spike blood pressure, and known allergy to glucagon 1. In insulinoma, an insulin-making tumor, it can cause a rise in sugar followed by a rebound low 1.

Is glucagon banned in sport?

It is not named on WADA's 2026 Prohibited List 4.

Related compounds

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Insulin (human insulin and analogs)

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Insulin is the hormone the pancreas makes to move sugar from the blood into the body's cells.

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Exenatide

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Exenatide was the first GLP-1 drug, a lab-made copy of a peptide found in Gila monster venom.

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Teduglutide

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Sources

  1. Glucagon for Injection (Lilly) prescribing information FDA label
  2. BAQSIMI (glucagon) nasal powder prescribing information FDA label
  3. Glucagon (medication) — Wikipedia (CAS, first approval year) Reference
  4. WADA 2026 Prohibited List Regulatory

Last reviewed 2026-10-25 · How we research · Found an error? See our corrections policy.