Glucagon
A naturally occurring peptide hormone that raises blood sugar, FDA-approved as emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia.
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
What is Glucagon?
Glucagon is a 29-amino acid peptide hormone produced by alpha cells of the pancreas. It is the primary counter-regulatory hormone to insulin, raising blood glucose by stimulating hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Synthetic glucagon is FDA-approved for emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia and as a diagnostic aid for GI imaging.
Why People Talk About It
Emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia
StrongDiagnostic aid for GI procedures
StrongComponent of dual/triple agonist obesity drugs
EmergingHow It Works
Glucagon is insulin's opposite. When blood sugar drops dangerously low, glucagon tells the liver to release its stored sugar (glycogen) into the bloodstream, rapidly raising blood sugar levels to safe ranges.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • Not effective in patients with depleted liver glycogen (starvation, adrenal insufficiency)
- • May cause rebound hypoglycemia
- • Contraindicated in pheochromocytoma and insulinoma
What We Don't Know
Well-characterized safety profile as a natural hormone with decades of clinical use.
Published Research
33 studiesGlucagon for hypoglycemic episodes in insulin-treated diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis with a comparison of glucagon with dextrose and of different glucagon formulations
Hypoglycemia following the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: a real-world analysis of post-marketing surveillance data
Survodutide for treatment of obesity: Baseline characteristics of participants in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial (SYNCHRONIZE™-1)
Baseline characteristics in the SYNCHRONIZE™-2 randomized phase 3 trial of survodutide, a glucagon receptor/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist, for obesity in people with type 2 diabetes
Effect of pemvidutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist, on MASLD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Combination SGLT2 Inhibitor and Glucagon Receptor Antagonist Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Testing the carbohydrate-insulin model: Short-term metabolic responses to consumption of meals with varying glycemic index in healthy adults
Effect of Almond Milk Versus Cow Milk on Postprandial Glycemia, Lipidemia, and Gastrointestinal Hormones in Patients with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
A Randomized Controlled, Double-Masked, Crossover Study of a GPR119 Agonist on Glucagon Counterregulation During Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes
Exenatide and glucagon co-infusion increases myocardial glucose uptake and improves markers of diastolic dysfunction in adults with type 2 diabetes
Dapagliflozin's impact on hormonal regulation and ketogenesis in type 1 diabetes: a randomised controlled crossover trial
Baseline glucagon impacts glucose-lowering effects of acarbose but not metformin: A sub-analysis of MARCH study
Regulation of proglucagon derived peptides by carbohydrate and protein ingestion in young healthy males-A randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial
Counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia during a hypoglycemic clamp in people with type 2 diabetes treated with tirzepatide
Preclinical evaluation and first-in-human phase 1 trial of AZD0186, a novel, oral small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist
Using glucagon receptor antagonism to evaluate the physiological effects of extrapancreatic glucagon in totally pancreatectomised individuals: a randomised controlled trial
Weight Loss-Independent Effect of Liraglutide on Insulin Sensitivity in Individuals With Obesity and Prediabetes
Effects of Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide on β-Cell Function, Insulin Sensitivity, and Glucose Control During a Meal Test
Dual glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptor agonism reduces energy intake in type 2 diabetes with obesity
Enteropancreatic hormone changes in caloric-restricted diet interventions associate with post-intervention weight maintenance
Effect of Barley on Postprandial Blood Glucose Response and Appetite in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Orforglipron (LY3502970), a novel, oral non-peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist: A Phase 1b, multicentre, blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, multiple-ascending-dose study in people with type 2 diabetes
Efficacy and safety of red ginseng extract powder (KGC05pg) in achieving glycemic control in prediabetic Korean adults: A 12-week, single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study
Double-Blind Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Glucagon vs Placebo in the Resolution of Alimentary Esophageal Impaction
Adaptive infusion of a glucagon-like peptide-1/glucagon receptor co-agonist G3215, in adults with overweight or obesity: Results from a phase 1 randomized clinical trial
Cotadutide promotes glycogenolysis in people with overweight or obesity diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
Weight loss maintenance with exercise and liraglutide improves glucose tolerance, glucagon response, and beta cell function
Glucagon-like peptide-1/glucagon receptor agonism associates with reduced metabolic adaptation and higher fat oxidation: A randomized trial
No effect of multi-strain probiotic supplementation on metabolic and inflammatory markers and newborn body composition in pregnant women with obesity: Results from a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study
Effect of Isocaloric Meals on Postprandial Glycemic and Metabolic Markers in Type 1 Diabetes-A Randomized Crossover Trial
Nutraceutical Eriocitrin (Eriomin) Reduces Hyperglycemia by Increasing Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 and Downregulates Systemic Inflammation: A Crossover-Randomized Clinical Trial
New Developments in Glucagon Treatment for Hypoglycemia
Glucagon: Its evolving role in the management of hypoglycemia
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
Related Peptides
Semaglutide
StrongBeginnerA GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management, one of the most widely prescribed peptide drugs.
Retatrutide
EmergingAn investigational triple agonist (GIP/GLP-1/glucagon) that produced 24% weight loss in Phase II trials, potentially the most effective obesity drug.
Pramlintide
StrongAn FDA-approved synthetic analogue of amylin used alongside insulin for diabetes, also studied for weight management.
Quick Facts
- Class
- Peptide Hormone
- Evidence
- Strong
- Safety
- Well-Studied
- Updated
- Mar 2026
- Citations
- 33PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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