Pronunciation: GLOO-ka-gon
Generic name: glucagon
Brand names: Baqsimi, GlucaGen, Gvoke
Dosage form: intranasal device (3 mg/device), vial for reconstitution (1 mg/mL), single-dose prefilled autoinjector (0.5 mg/0.1 mL, 1 mg/0.2 mL), single-dose prefilled syringe (1 mg/0.2 mL), single-dose vial and syringe kit (1 mg/0.2 mL), intravenous injection (1 mg/0.2 mL)
Drug class: Glucose elevating agents

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jun 8, 2025.

What is glucagon?

Glucagon injection (Gvoke, GlucaGen) is used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia/very low blood glucose) in adults and children with diabetes (Gvoke is for use in children 2 years and older). It is usually administered subcutaneously, although the GlucaGen brand (now discontinued) of glucagon injection can be administered intramuscularly or, when under medical supervision, intravenously for low blood glucose.

Glucagon nasal powder (Baqsimi) is used to treat very low blood sugar (severe hypoglycemia) in adults and children aged 1 year and older with diabetes.

Glucagon intravenous injection (Gvoke VialDx, GlucaGen) is a gastrointestinal mobility inhibitor (stops stomach movements) used intravenously as a diagnostic aid during radiologic examinations to temporarily inhibit movement of the gastrointestinal tract in adults.

Glucagon raises blood sugar levels by binding to liver receptors, triggering glycogen breakdown and glucose release. This requires adequate liver glycogen stores to work effectively. Glucagon also relaxes smooth muscle in the digestive tract, slowing down the function and movement of the stomach, small intestine, and colon. 

Glucagon was first approved on November 14, 1960. Approvals for other dosage forms are as follows:

• GlucaGen, June 22, 1998 (now discontinued)
• Baqsimi (glucagon nasal powder) July 24, 2019
• Gvoke, September 10, 2019
• Gvoke VialDx, May 14, 2025.

Side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to glucagon, such as hives, difficulty breathing, fast or slow heartbeat, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

The most common side effects of glucagon injection for low blood glucose in adults are:

• nausea
• swelling at the injection site
• vomiting
• headache.

The most common side effects of glucagon injection for low blood glucose in children are:

• nausea
• high blood sugar
• abdominal pain
• pain or redness at the injection site
• low blood sugar
• vomiting
• headache
• itching.

The most common side effects of glucagon nasal powder are:

• nausea
• discomfort in your nose
• watery eyes
• vomiting
• stuffy nose
• red eyes
• headache
• cough
• itchy nose, throat, and eyes
• runny nose
• nosebleed.

The most common side effects of glucagon intravenous for diagnostic use are:

• nausea
• change in the way foods taste or loss of taste (dysgeusia)
• headache
• dizziness
• hot flush.

Serious side effects

Glucagon (subcutaneous, intravenous, and nasal preparations) may cause serious side effects, including:

• High blood pressure. Glucagon can cause high blood pressure in certain people with tumors in their adrenal glands
• Low blood sugar. Glucagon can cause low blood sugar in people with certain tumors in their pancreas called insulinomas, by making too much insulin in their bodies. Glucagon IV can also cause low blood sugar in people with certain tumors called glucagonomas. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include:
  • sweating
  • blurred vision
  • personality changes, abnormal behavior, inability to concentrate, or irritability
  • drowsiness
  • hunger
  • lightheadedness or dizziness
  • slurred speech
  • unsteady movement
  • sleep disturbances
  • restlessness
  • irregular heartbeat
  • depressed mood or anxiety
  • tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or tongue
  • headache
  • tremor

• Serious allergic reactions. Serious allergic reactions have happened in some people using products with glucagon. Stop using glucagon and call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have a serious allergic reaction. If you have received glucagon IV for a radiology exam and have a serious allergic reaction, your healthcare provider will stop the injection. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include rash, difficulty breathing, or low blood pressure

• High blood sugar with glucagon intravenous for diagnostic examination. If you have diabetes and receive glucagon IV before your radiology exam, it can cause high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider will check your blood sugar levels during treatment with glucagon IV.
• Heart problems with glucagon IV. If you have heart problems and receive glucagon IV before your radiology exam, you may have an increase in your blood pressure and pulse while receiving glucagon IV. This could be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will monitor your heart during treatment with glucagon IV.

You should not use glucagon if you are allergic to glucagon or lactose, or if you have a tumor of the pancreas (insulinoma) or adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma).

It is not known if:

• glucagon SC is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age
• glucagon nasal powder is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age
• glucagon IV is safe and effective in children.

These are not all the possible side effects of glucagon. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Before taking this medicine

Do not use glucagon if you:

• have a tumor in the gland on top of your kidneys (adrenal gland) called pheochromocytoma
• have a tumor in your pancreas called an insulinoma
• have had an allergic reaction to glucagon or any of the ingredients in glucagon injections or nasal powder such as lactose (see the end of this guide for a list of ingredients)

Do not receive glucagon IV if you:

• have tumors in your pancreas called Glucagonomas.

Before using glucagon, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have adrenal gland problems
• have a tumor in your pancreas
• have not had food or water for a long time (prolonged fasting or starvation)
• have low blood sugar that does not go away (chronic hypoglycemia)
• have diabetes mellitus
• have heart problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if glucagon will harm your unborn baby, but quickly treating hypoglycemia would outweigh any risks posed by using this medicine
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if glucagon passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you can use glucagon while breastfeeding.

In an emergency, it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

How should I use glucagon for low blood sugars?

Read the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with your medicine. Use glucagon exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.

• Administer glucagon injection for low blood sugar subcutaneously (under the skin) in the lower abdomen, outer thigh, or outer upper arm.
• Some preparations (such as GlucaGen) may also be given intramuscularly, or when under medical supervision, intravenously.

Administer glucagon nasal powder in one side of your nose (nostril), but does not need to be inhaled. Each device contains only 1 dose of medicine and cannot be reused. Glucagon nasal powder will work even if you have a cold or are taking cold medicine.

Make sure your relatives, close friends, and caregivers know where you store glucagon and how to use it the right way before you need their help.

• Act quickly. Having very low blood sugar for some time may be harmful.
• After giving glucagon, your caregiver should call for emergency medical help right away.
• When you can safely swallow food or drink, your caregiver should give you a fast-acting source of sugar (such as a regular soft drink or fruit juice) and a long-acting source of sugar (such as crackers and cheese or a meat sandwich).
• If you do not respond to treatment after 15 minutes, your caregiver may give you another dose, if available.

Tell your healthcare provider each time you use glucagon. Low blood sugar may happen again after receiving an injection of glucagon. Your diabetes medicine may need to be changed.

How will I receive glucagon IV as a diagnostic aid?

Glucagon IV will be given by a healthcare provider through a needle placed in your vein (IV infusion).

Dosing information

Glucagon Injection Dose for Hypoglycemia (Adults)

Gvoke

• 1 mg SC once.

GlucaGen

• 1 mg SC/IM/IV once.

Glucagon Injection Dose for Hypoglycemia (Pediatrics)

Gvoke

• Aged 2 to 12 years (weight less than 45 kg): 0.5 mg SC once
• Aged 2 to 12 years (weight 45 kg or greater): 1 mg SC once
• Aged 12 years or older: 1 mg SC once

GlucaGen

• Aged 6 years and older: 1 mg SC/IM/IV once
• Children (weight 25 kg or greater): 1 mg SC/IM/IV once
• Aged less than 6 years: 0.5 mg SC/IM/IV once
• Children (weight less than 25 kg): 0.5 mg SC/IM/IV once

Repeat dosing

If there has been no response after 15 minutes, administer an additional dose from a new injection while waiting for emergency assistance.

When the patient has responded to glucagon, give oral carbohydrates.

Do not attempt to reuse glucagon. Each device or vial contains a single dose of glucagon. Do not reuse and discard any unused portion.

Glucagon nasal powder for Hypoglycemia

• Adults and children 1 year and older: 1 dose (3 mg/ one actuation)into one side of your nose (nostril).
• No need to inhale/sniff.

Glucagon for Intravenous Use as a Diagnostic Aid in Adults

Glucagon for intravenous (IV) use can only be administered under medical supervision.

• Relaxation of the stomach, duodenal bulb, duodenum, and small bulb: 0.2 mg to 0.5 mg IV once.
• Relaxation of the colon: 0.5 mg to 0.75 mg IV once.

See the Full Prescribing Information for administration instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid pulse, or high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears).

What should I avoid after using glucagon

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood sugar.

What other drugs will affect glucagon?

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Glucagon may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how glucagon works. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.****

Other information

For storage, ingredient, and company information, see the individual monographs for Baqsimi, Gvoke, and GlucaGen.

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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