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Glucagon

A naturally occurring peptide hormone that raises blood sugar, FDA-approved as emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia.

StrongWell-Studied Beginner-Friendly

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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

Strong

Diagnostic aid for GI procedures

Strong

Component of dual/triple agonist obesity drugs

Emerging

How 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

Important Safety Notes

Common Side Effects

NauseaVomitingHeadacheTransient hyperglycemia

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 studies

Glucagon 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

Meta-AnalysisPMID: 25323325

Hypoglycemia following the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: a real-world analysis of post-marketing surveillance data

Meta-AnalysisPMID: 34734034

Survodutide for treatment of obesity: Baseline characteristics of participants in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial (SYNCHRONIZE™-1)

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 41187967

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

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 41216778

Effect of pemvidutide, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist, on MASLD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 39002641

Combination SGLT2 Inhibitor and Glucagon Receptor Antagonist Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 38776437

Testing the carbohydrate-insulin model: Short-term metabolic responses to consumption of meals with varying glycemic index in healthy adults

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40043690

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

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40647197

A Randomized Controlled, Double-Masked, Crossover Study of a GPR119 Agonist on Glucagon Counterregulation During Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40173094

Exenatide and glucagon co-infusion increases myocardial glucose uptake and improves markers of diastolic dysfunction in adults with type 2 diabetes

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40593987

Dapagliflozin's impact on hormonal regulation and ketogenesis in type 1 diabetes: a randomised controlled crossover trial

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40629004

Baseline glucagon impacts glucose-lowering effects of acarbose but not metformin: A sub-analysis of MARCH study

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40319921

Regulation of proglucagon derived peptides by carbohydrate and protein ingestion in young healthy males-A randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 39612864

Counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia during a hypoglycemic clamp in people with type 2 diabetes treated with tirzepatide

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40964167

Preclinical evaluation and first-in-human phase 1 trial of AZD0186, a novel, oral small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 41015846

Using glucagon receptor antagonism to evaluate the physiological effects of extrapancreatic glucagon in totally pancreatectomised individuals: a randomised controlled trial

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40968190

Weight Loss-Independent Effect of Liraglutide on Insulin Sensitivity in Individuals With Obesity and Prediabetes

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 37874653

Effects of Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide on β-Cell Function, Insulin Sensitivity, and Glucose Control During a Meal Test

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 38795393

Dual glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucagon receptor agonism reduces energy intake in type 2 diabetes with obesity

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 38562018

Enteropancreatic hormone changes in caloric-restricted diet interventions associate with post-intervention weight maintenance

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 39418916

Effect of Barley on Postprandial Blood Glucose Response and Appetite in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 39599684

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

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 37997518

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

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 39969290

Double-Blind Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Glucagon vs Placebo in the Resolution of Alimentary Esophageal Impaction

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 37734342

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

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 38229453

Cotadutide promotes glycogenolysis in people with overweight or obesity diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 38066113

Weight loss maintenance with exercise and liraglutide improves glucose tolerance, glucagon response, and beta cell function

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 36942420

Glucagon-like peptide-1/glucagon receptor agonism associates with reduced metabolic adaptation and higher fat oxidation: A randomized trial

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 36695055

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

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 37580231

Effect of Isocaloric Meals on Postprandial Glycemic and Metabolic Markers in Type 1 Diabetes-A Randomized Crossover Trial

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 37513510

Nutraceutical Eriocitrin (Eriomin) Reduces Hyperglycemia by Increasing Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 and Downregulates Systemic Inflammation: A Crossover-Randomized Clinical Trial

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 35796695

New Developments in Glucagon Treatment for Hypoglycemia

ReviewPMID: 35932416

Glucagon: Its evolving role in the management of hypoglycemia

ReviewPMID: 33963599

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

Quick Facts

Class
Peptide Hormone
Evidence
Strong
Safety
Well-Studied
Updated
Mar 2026
Citations
33PubMed

Also known as

GlucaGenBaqsimiGvoke

Tags

FDA-ApprovedMetabolic HealthEmergency Medicine

Related Goals

Evidence Score

Overall Confidence97%

Clinical Trials

View Clinical Trials

Links to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.

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