Glucagon

Glucagon increases blood glucose concentration by activating hepatic glucagon receptors, thereby stimulating glycogen breakdown and release of glucose from the liver. Hepatic stores of glycogen are necessary for glucagon to produce an antihypoglycemic effect.

• Glucagon for Injection is an antihypoglycemic agent and a gastrointestinal motility inhibitor indicated: • for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in pediatric and adult patients with diabetes. ( 1.1 ) • as a diagnostic aid for use during radiologic examinations to temporarily inhibit movement of the gastrointestinal tract in adult patients.

• Glucagon for Injection is contraindicated in patients with: • Pheochromocytoma because of the risk of substantial increase in blood pressure [see Warning and Precautions (5.1) ] • Insulinoma because of the risk of hypoglycemia [see Warning and Precautions (5.2) ] • Known hypersensitivity to glucagon or any of the excipients in Glucagon for Injection.contraindicated

Dosage in adult and pediatric patients to treat severe hypoglycemia ( 2.2 ) • Adults and Pediatric Patients Weighing 20 kg or More: ▪ The recommended dosage is 1 mg (1 mL) injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly into the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks, or intravenously. ▪ If there has been no response after 15 minutes, an additional 1 mg dose (1 mL) may be administered while waiting for emergency assistance. • Pediatric Patients Weighing Less Than 20 kg: ▪ The recommended dosage is 0.5 mg (0.5 mL) or dose equivalent to 20 mcg/kg to 30 mcg/kg injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly into the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks, or intravenously. ▪ If there has been no response after 15 minutes, an additional 0.5 mg dose (0.5 mL) may be administered while waiting for emergency assistance. Important Administration Instructions for Using Glucagon for Injection to Treat Severe Hypoglycemia ( 2.1 ) • Glucagon for Injection is for subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous injection. Administer intravenously ONLY under medical supervision. • See the Full Prescribing Information for administration instructions Dosage in Adults for Using Glucagon for Injection as a Diagnostic Aid ( 2.4 ) • Doses required for relaxation of the stomach, duodenum, and small bowel, depend on the onset and duration of effect required for the examination. • The dose for relaxation of the duodenum and small bowel is 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg given intravenously or 1 mg given intramuscularly. • For the stomach 0.5 mg intravenous or 2 mg intramuscular doses are recommended.

• Substantial Increase in Blood Pressure in Patients with Pheochromocytoma : Contraindicated in patients with pheochromocytoma because Glucagon for Injection may stimulate the release of catecholamines from the tumor. ( 4 , 5.1 ) • Hypoglycemia in Patients with Insulinoma : In patients with insulinoma, glucagon administration may produce an initial increase in blood glucose; however, Glucagon for Injection may stimulate exaggerated insulin release from an insulinoma and cause hypoglycemia. If a patient develops symptoms of hypoglycemia after a dose of Glucagon for Injection, give glucose orally or intravenously. ( 4 , 5.2 ) • Hypersensitivity and Allergic Reactions : Allergic reactions, which have been reported with glucagon, may occur and include generalized rash, and in some cases anaphylactic shock with breathing difficulties, and hypotension. ( 4 , 5.3 ) • Lack of Efficacy in Patients with Decreased Glycogen: Glucagon for Injection is effective in treating hypoglycemia only if sufficient hepatic glycogen is present. Patients in states of starvation, with adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia may not have adequate levels of hepatic glycogen for Glucagon for Injection administration to be effective. Patients with these conditions should be treated with glucose. ( 5.4 ) • Necrolytic Migratory Erythema (NME): Necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), a skin rash, have been reported post marketing following continuous glucagon infusion and resolved with discontinuation of the glucagon.

The following important adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: • Hypersensitivity and Allergic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Necrolytic Migratory Erythema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Hyperglycemia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus when Used as a Diagnostic Aid [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Increase in Patients with Cardiac Disease when used as a Diagnostic Aid [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of glucagon. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is generally not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. • Injection site reactions including erythema and swelling • Nausea • Vomiting • Headache • Dizziness • Asthenia • Pallor • Diarrhea • Somnolence • Generalized allergic reactions including anaphylactic shock with breathing difficulties and hypotension • Hypertension and tachycardia • Decreased blood pressure. Hypotension has been reported up to 2 hours after administration in patients receiving glucagon as premedication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. • Hypoglycemia and hypoglycemic coma. Patients taking indomethacin may be more likely to experience hypoglycemia following glucagon administration [see Drug Interactions (7) ] . • Necrolytic Migratory Erythema (NME) cases have been reported post marketing in patients receiving continuous infusion of glucagon.

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from case reports and a small number of observational studies with glucagon use in pregnant women over decades of use have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Multiple small studies have demonstrated a lack of transfer of pancreatic glucagon across the human placental barrier during early gestation. In a rat reproduction study, no embryofetal toxicity was observed with glucagon administered by injection during the period of organogenesis at doses representing up to 40 times the human dose, based on body surface area (mg/m 2 ) (see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In pregnant rats given animal sourced glucagon twice-daily by injection at doses up to 2 mg/kg (up to 40 times the human dose based on body surface area extrapolation, mg/m 2 ) during the period of organogenesis, there was no evidence of increased malformations or embryofetal lethality.

Metabolism

Absorption Glucagon injected through the intramuscular route achieved mean peak plasma levels of 6.9 ng/mL at approximately 13 minutes after dosing; and 7.9 ng/mL at approximately 20 minutes after subcutaneous dosing. Administration of the intravenous glucagon showed dose proportionality of the pharmacokinetics between 0.25 and 2 mg.

If overdosage occurs, the patient may experience nausea, vomiting, inhibition of GI tract motility, increase in blood pressure and pulse rate. In case of suspected overdosing, the serum potassium may decrease and should be monitored and corrected if needed. If the patient develops a dramatic increase in blood pressure, phentolamine mesylate has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure for the short time that control would be needed.

• May 8, 2015NDANDA201849Fresenius Kabi Usa
• Jul 24, 2019NDANDA210134Amphastar Pharms Inc
• Sep 10, 2019NDANDA212097Xeris
• Dec 28, 2020ANDAANDA208086Amphastar Pharms Inc
• Dec 12, 2024ANDAANDA204468Mylan Labs Ltd
• Jul 22, 2025ANDAANDA214457Lupin
• Sep 15, 2025ANDAANDA218813Cipla

1. 1Drug Ineffective3729.2%
2. 2Dyspnoea3598.9%
3. 3Acute Kidney Injury3187.8%
4. 4Hypotension2917.2%
5. 5Hypoglycaemia2686.6%
6. 6Condition Aggravated2486.1%
7. 7Toxicity To Various Agents2345.8%
8. 8Nausea2275.6%
9. 9Haemoptysis2165.3%
10. 10Anxiety2145.3%
11. 11Death2125.2%
12. 12Vomiting2045.0%
13. 13Pain In Extremity2025.0%
14. 14Blood Glucose Decreased1974.9%
15. 15Blood Glucose Increased1964.8%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Glucagon as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Identification of insulin and glucagon genes in the finless porpoise and the developmental distribution of their producing endocrine cells.
  Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026 · Zhao L, Wang L, Aierken R, et al.
  PMID 42147104DOI 10.3389/fendo.2026.1777351
• Morning glucagon disrupts insulin induced hepatic metabolic memory and subsequent afternoon glucose metabolism in canines.
  Frontiers in endocrinology · 2026 · Waterman HL, Smith MS, Farmer B, et al.
  PMID 42137354DOI 10.3389/fendo.2026.1832065
• Macrophages warrant Mauthner cell axon regrowth by preventing late-stage hyperglycemia in zebrafish.
  Open biology · 2026 · Bai J, Lai S, Huang Y, et al.
  PMID 42089279DOI 10.1098/rsob.250156
• Postprandial Glucagon Action in the Human Brain.
  Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2026 · Wagner R, Kullmann S, Hummel J, et al.
  PMID 42017287DOI 10.1111/dom.70801
• Experimental chronic fetal hyperglucagonemia stimulates hepatic pathways for amino acid catabolism and gluconeogenesis.
  The Journal of endocrinology · 2026 · Tanner AR, Cilvik SN, Nguyen MA, et al.
  PMID 41988876DOI 10.1530/JOE-25-0447
• GLP-1, GIP, and Glucagon Excursions During a Mixed Meal Tolerance Test in Young and Lean South Asians Versus Europids.
  Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · 2026 · Hoekx CA, Brinkman LBD, van Eenige R, et al.
  PMID 41983366DOI 10.1111/dom.70704
• A role for vagal activity in preventing the suppression of glucagon secretion by GLP-1 during hypoglycemia.
  American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2026 · Lobato CB, Nielsen ABE, Holst JJ, et al.
  PMID 41973537DOI 10.1152/ajpendo.00236.2025
• The Glucagonocentric Basis of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Pancreas-Heart Crosstalk Linking α-Cell Dysregulation to Cardiac Metabolic Stress and Fibrosis.
  Comprehensive Physiology · 2026 · Ganamurali N, Prabhakaran M, Sabarathinam S, et al.
  PMID 41947455DOI 10.1002/cph4.70145

The 10 most recently updated of 1,441 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Glucagon as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Tirzepatide's Role in Postmenopausal HR+ Breast Cancer Survivors
  Recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 30 enrolled · Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  NCT07257484updated 2026-06-12
• Tirzepatide to Reduce rEcurrence And Burden After Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 200 enrolled · National Taiwan University Hospital
  NCT07382024updated 2026-06-12
• A Study to Evaluate ALN-2232 in Participants With Obesity
  Recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 156 enrolled · Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
  NCT07463846updated 2026-06-12
• A Study to Investigate Effectiveness of Tirzepatide Following Initiation of Ixekizumab in Participants With Active Psoriatic Arthritis and Overweight or Obesity in Clinical Practice (TOGETHER AMPLIFY-PsA)
  Recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 200 enrolled · Eli Lilly and Company
  NCT06864026updated 2026-06-11
• Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Switching From Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RA) to Maridebart Cafraglutide in Adults With Obesity or Overweight (MARITIME-SWITCH)
  Recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 300 enrolled · Amgen
  NCT07575399updated 2026-06-11
• Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists to Attenuate Metabolic Risk in Individuals With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
  Not yet recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 30 enrolled · Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  NCT07642635updated 2026-06-11
• A Study to Investigate the Pharmacokinetics of Different Formulations and Safety of AZD5004 in Healthy Participants Aged 18 to 55 Years
  Completed · Phase 1 · Interventional · 65 enrolled · AstraZeneca
  NCT07455825updated 2026-06-10
• Estimating the Impact of Obesity Medications on Clinical and Economic Outcomes
  Enrolling by invitation · Observational · 125,000 enrolled · Indiana University
  NCT07640139updated 2026-06-10
• Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide in Individuals at Cardiovascular Risk But Without Diabetes.
  Active not recruiting · Observational · 100,000 enrolled · Brigham and Women's Hospital
  NCT07619508updated 2026-06-09
• A Research Study to See How Much CagriSema Lowers Blood Sugar and Body Weight Compared to Tirzepatide in People With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Metformin, SGLT2 Inhibitor or Both
  Active not recruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 1,023 enrolled · Novo Nordisk A/S
  NCT06534411updated 2026-06-09

Frequently asked questions

How does Glucagon work?

Glucagon increases blood glucose concentration by activating hepatic glucagon receptors, thereby stimulating glycogen breakdown and release of glucose from the liver. Hepatic stores of glycogen are necessary for glucagon to produce an antihypoglycemic effect.

What is Glucagon used for?

According to FDA labeling, Glucagon carries indications including: Glucagon for Injection is an antihypoglycemic agent and a gastrointestinal motility inhibitor indicated: • for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in pediatric and adult patients with diabetes. ( 1.1 ) • as a diagnostic aid for use during radiologic examinations to temporarily inhibit movement of the gastrointestinal tract in adult patients.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Glucagon?

Glucagon is classified as Glycogenolytic hormones, Antihypoglycemic Agent, Gastrointestinal Motility Inhibitor, Glucagon Receptor Interactions, Decreased GI Motility, Decreased GI Smooth Muscle Tone, Decreased Glycolysis, Increased Gluconeogenesis, Increased Glycogenolysis, Positive Chronotropy, Positive Inotropy.

What are the brand names for Glucagon?

Glucagon is marketed under brand names including Baqsimi, GlucaGen, Gvoke.

What are the contraindications for Glucagon?

Glucagon labeling lists contraindications including: Glucagon for Injection is contraindicated in patients with: • Pheochromocytoma because of the risk of substantial increase in blood pressure [see Warning and Precautions (5.1) ] • Insulinoma because of the risk of hypoglycemia [see Warning and Precautions (5.2) ] • Known hypersensitivity to glucagon or any of the excipients in Glucagon for Injection.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.