Glucagon
Complete Research Guide
Open each section for the available evidence. Gaps are stated rather than inferred.
Overview
Glucagon is listed as metabolic / counter-regulatory.
- •Severe Hypoglycemia
Regulatory status: FDA-Approved Rx.
Structure & Properties
Compound: Glucagon; also known as GlucaGen, Gvoke, Baqsimi.
Pharmacologic class: Metabolic / Counter-regulatory.
Known delivery routes: Intramuscular, Subcutaneous, Intranasal.
Sequence, molecular weight, salt form, and excipient details are formulation-specific and are not listed unless verified by a manufacturer or laboratory COA.
How It Works
Glucagon receptor agonist — stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis; raises blood glucose acutely.
- •Rapid glucose elevation in unconscious hypoglycemia
- •Intranasal autoinjector simplifies emergency use
Human Research
Evidence grade: Clinical RCT (Phase III)
Clinical RCT (Phase III). Phase III comparative trials.
Laboratory Research
Phase III comparative trials
Preclinical findings describe biological plausibility, not proven benefit in people. Animal and laboratory doses do not translate directly to human use.
Processing & Interactions
Timing and exposure
Emergency use for severe hypoglycemia; not scheduled.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Pheochromocytoma, insulinoma
Absorption, half-life, metabolism, and clearance can vary by formulation and route. Use prescribing information when an approved product exists.
Safety & Precautions
Known or reported risks
- •Nausea / vomiting
- •Ineffective in glycogen-depleted states
- •Allergic reactions
Contraindications
- •Insulinoma
- •Pheochromocytoma
- •Hypersensitivity
- •Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN-2 syndrome
- •History of pancreatitis or unexplained elevated lipase/amylase
- •Gastroparesis, severe GERD, or chronic gastrointestinal motility disorder
- •History of symptomatic gallstones or biliary disease
- •Active eating disorder, malnutrition, or BMI already in the underweight range
- •Type 1 diabetes as monotherapy for glycemic control
- •Planned surgery/anesthesia without pre-procedure fasting adjustment (aspiration risk)
- •Proliferative diabetic retinopathy with rapid glycemic lowering
- •Severe renal impairment with ongoing dehydration or vomiting
- •Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- •Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- •Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- •Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- •Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- •Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- •Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- •Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Unknown long-term toxicity should be assumed where controlled human data are limited. Seek urgent care for a severe or unexpected reaction.
Administration & Studied Formulations
Reference range: 1 mg (adult IM/SC); 0.5 mg (<20 kg)
Frequency: Single rescue dose PRN
Cycling: Single-use rescue, no cycling.
Intranasal
Emergency hypoglycemia (Baqsimi).
3 mg single-use nasal device. Insert tip in nostril, press plunger fully. No need to inhale.
Intramuscular
Emergency kit — traditional route.
Pre-filled auto-injector (Gvoke) or reconstitution kit. IM anterior thigh through clothing acceptable in emergency.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •Fast-acting carbs once patient is conscious
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Cases, Considerations & Ethics
Decision framework: establish the clinical goal, confirm evidence quality and legal status, screen contraindications and interactions, compare approved alternatives, define monitoring and stopping criteria, and use shared decision-making with a licensed clinician.
Case evidence: individual reports cannot establish safety or effectiveness and should not outweigh controlled trials.
Ethics: informed consent should distinguish established care from experimental use, disclose uncertainty and cost, avoid overstated claims, and never substitute research products for medically necessary care.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
Emergency use only — given any time for severe hypoglycemia.
See “Timing & Interactions” below for full fasted/fed circumstances, what to avoid combining, and what pairs well.
Administration & Technique
Injection & Application Sites
- Intranasal — Alternate nostrils, spray on inhalation, do not sniff hard.
- Anterior thigh (vastus lateralis) — Middle third of the outer front thigh. Preferred IM site for self-injection.
Diagram is a general illustration, not a medical instruction. Rotate sites every injection, keep 1 in (2.5 cm) between recent sites, and avoid scars, moles, bruises and the navel area.
Cycling
Single-use rescue, no cycling.
Timing & Interactions
- ·Pheochromocytoma, insulinoma
- ·Fast-acting carbs once patient is conscious
Storage & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Calculator
1 mL = 100 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Draw to the nearest 0.5 unit and confirm dosing with a clinician before injection.
Your Notes
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Benefits
- ·Rapid glucose elevation in unconscious hypoglycemia
- ·Intranasal autoinjector simplifies emergency use
Risks
- ·Nausea / vomiting
- ·Ineffective in glycogen-depleted states
- ·Allergic reactions
Contraindications
- ·Insulinoma
- ·Pheochromocytoma
- ·Hypersensitivity
- ·Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN-2 syndrome
- ·History of pancreatitis or unexplained elevated lipase/amylase
- ·Gastroparesis, severe GERD, or chronic gastrointestinal motility disorder
- ·History of symptomatic gallstones or biliary disease
- ·Active eating disorder, malnutrition, or BMI already in the underweight range
- ·Type 1 diabetes as monotherapy for glycemic control
- ·Planned surgery/anesthesia without pre-procedure fasting adjustment (aspiration risk)
- ·Proliferative diabetic retinopathy with rapid glycemic lowering
- ·Severe renal impairment with ongoing dehydration or vomiting
- ·Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- ·Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- ·Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- ·Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- ·Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- ·Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- ·Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- ·Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Regulatory
FDA-Approved Rx
Veterinary Use (Pets)
No established veterinary protocol for Glucagon. Consult a licensed veterinarian before considering off-label use in any species.
Full veterinary reference →Cited Works
Tap any study to open the published work.