Glucagon
Prescription ·Strong evidence ·Reviewed May 2026
Glucagon is an FDA-approved peptide/protein hormone rescue drug used for severe hypoglycemia in people with diabetes, with product-specific prescription forms including Baqsimi nasal powder, GVOKE subcutaneous products, and glucagon emergency kits. This app supports FDA-approved prescription glucagon products only; compounded, research-use, lyophilized peptide-vial, non-prescribed, or unverified rescue products are unsupported.
- Emergency rescue treatment for severe hypoglycemia in diabetes1,2
- Caregiver-administered options including nasal powder, ready-to-use autoinjector/prefilled syringe, and emergency kits
- Raises blood glucose by mobilizing hepatic glycogen when glycogen stores are adequate
- Product-specific pediatric labeling for approved rescue products2
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: emergency rescue treatment for severe hypoglycemia in diabetes, caregiver-administered options including nasal powder, ready-to-use autoinjector/prefilled syringe, and emergency kits, raises blood glucose by mobilizing hepatic glycogen when glycogen stores are adequate. 3 sources indexed (2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Glucagon activates hepatic glucagon receptors, increasing glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis so the liver releases glucose into blood. The response depends on sufficient hepatic glycogen stores, which may be reduced by starvation, adrenal insufficiency, or chronic hypoglycemia.1,2
Dosing & protocol.
Baqsimi is intranasal; GVOKE is subcutaneous for rescue; traditional glucagon kits may be subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravenous under medical supervision depending on label and setting. Rescue products are single-use or require immediate use after mixing as directed.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Injection-site reactions or nasal/upper-respiratory irritation depending on product
- Transient blood pressure or pulse increase
- Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis (rare)
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Reference material
3- 1BAQSIMI (glucagon) nasal powder: prescribing informationSource linkedURLU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed · Official prescribing information and FDA drug safety communication · 2026
Label covers intranasal glucagon for severe hypoglycemia, emergency assistance, oral carbohydrates after response, pheochromocytoma/insulinoma/hypersensitivity contraindications, decreased-glycogen warning, and pregnancy risk language.
- 2GVOKE (glucagon) injection and GVOKE VialDx: prescribing informationSource linkedURLU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed · Official prescribing information and FDA drug safety communication · 2026
Label covers subcutaneous rescue use for severe hypoglycemia, age-specific product instructions, emergency assistance, oral carbohydrates after response, contraindications, decreased-glycogen warning, drug interactions, and diagnostic-use cautions.
- 3GLUCAGON for injection emergency kit: prescribing informationSource linkedURLU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed · Official prescribing information and FDA drug safety communication · 2026
Label covers severe hypoglycemia rescue, immediate use after mixing, emergency assistance, oral carbohydrates after response, contraindications, decreased-glycogen warning, and clinically significant drug interactions.
Deep dives & adjacent profiles.
This page is educational. Do not start, stop, or change a supplement or medication based on it without checking with a qualified healthcare professional.
Use this with your stack
Glucagon in NutriStack.
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