A to Z / Approved medicine
Glucagon
Also known as GlucaGen, Baqsimi, Gvoke.
Best known for The emergency hormone that reverses severe hypoglycaemia
Evidence★★★★★
Safety dataWell characterised
Route intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, or nasal powder
United StatesFDA approved
AustraliaSchedule 3: pharmacist only medicine
as at 16 September 2026
What it is and what it does
Glucagon is a 29-amino-acid pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose: insulin's counterpart. It is an approved medicine, used to rescue someone from severe low blood sugar and to relax the gut for imaging procedures.
What the full entry covers
The book carries the rest of this entry:
- Where the research stands, with every claim cited
- What people commonly ask, and what the research shows so far
- Dosing in four labelled bands, described and not recommended
- Side effects, serious risks, cautions and interactions
- Questions to discuss with your doctor
- How it compares with Insulin, Semaglutide, Retatrutide
Related entries
A certificate of analysis tells you what is in a vial. The evidence rating above tells you whether the compound has been shown to work in humans. Neither answers the other's question. How to read a certificate of analysis.
This page describes what is known and not known about Glucagon. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use it.