PEPTIDESTAT
ApprovedMetabolic healthSubcutaneousEvidence 5/5

Glucagon

Also known as: GlucaGen, Baqsimi, Gvoke

Glucagon binds the hepatic glucagon receptor (GCGR), raising cyclic AMP to stimulate glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, which increases blood glucose as the body's main counter-regulatory hormone opposing insulin.

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Glucagon
Drug class
Glucagon receptor (GCGR) agonist; counter-regulatory pancreatic hormone
Primary targets
Glucagon receptor (GCGR)
Dose reference
Reference (label, not a recommendation): 1 mg SC/IM/IV injectable for severe hypoglycemia in adults; Gvoke 0.5 mg pediatric / 1 mg adult SC; Baqsimi 3 mg single intranasal dose; 0.25-2 mg IV/IM as a GI diagnostic aid
Half-life
Short; roughly 8-18 minutes for native glucagon (pharmacokinetic studies)
Developer / origin
Eli Lilly (original glucagon and Baqsimi); Novo Nordisk (GlucaGen); Xeris (Gvoke)
Reference year
1923
Evidence score
5/5 - Strong
Evidence 5/5

Strong

Glucagon is an FDA-approved rescue therapy for severe hypoglycemia with decades of label-backed clinical and pharmacokinetic evidence across injectable and intranasal forms.

Approved medication with substantial human clinical evidence.

Evidence basis

  • FDA-approved prescribing information for GlucaGen, Gvoke and Baqsimi documents indication, dosing and safety
  • Pharmacokinetic studies establish short half-life and rapid glucose response across IN/IM/IV routes
  • Registration trials for Baqsimi and Gvoke demonstrated reliable reversal of insulin-induced hypoglycemia

How to read this entry

Dose references and half-life values are pulled from trial protocols, labels, reviews, or published summaries where available. They are context for research and comparison, not a personal dosing recommendation.

Status matters: approved drugs have regulated indications; investigational compounds are still being studied; research-only peptides do not have established human dosing, safety, or efficacy for consumer use.

Glucagon guides

Read the matching guide or adjacent research pages for more context.

Glucagon Peptide: GlucaGen, Baqsimi, Gvoke and Severe Hypoglycemia RescueGlucagon is an approved 29-amino-acid pancreatic hormone and glucagon-receptor agonist used as rescue therapy for severe hypoglycemia, available as injection and nasal powder.Amylin Peptide: IAPP Biology, Satiety Signaling and Drug DevelopmentAmylin is an endogenous beta-cell hormone behind satiety and glucose control, but native amylin aggregates and is a research target rather than a consumer drug.Mazdutide: China Approval, Weight-Loss Evidence and Safety LimitsMazdutide is a GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist with Chinese clinical trial data and China approval, but it is not a US-approved obesity drug.Retatrutide: The Triple Agonist Posting the Biggest Numbers YetRetatrutide is an investigational triple agonist drawing major attention for weight loss. The Phase 2 numbers are striking — and still early-stage.

Peptide calculators

Use calculators for concentration, unit conversion and repeated-dose accumulation math.

Peptide reconstitution calculatorCalculate concentration, draw volume and syringe units from vial strength and BAC water.Open toolPeptide accumulation calculatorModel repeated dosing schedules with half-life, interval, peak and trough estimates.Open toolPeptide unit converterConvert mg, mcg, optional IU and syringe units from one reconstituted vial setup.Open toolPeptide chemistry calculatorAnalyze sequence length, molecular weight, composition, charge, hydropathy and notation.Open tool

Compare with related peptides

Stay inside the same research category and compare mechanism, status and evidence quality.

Amylin

IAPP, islet amyloid polypeptide

3/5
Metabolic healthResearch only

Amylin, co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta-cells, activates brainstem amylin receptors (calcitonin receptor paired with RAMPs) to promote satiation, slow gastric emptying, and suppress postprandial glucagon.

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Research & educational purposes only

The information on PeptideStat is for educational and research purposes only and is not medical advice. Many peptides discussed are research compounds not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Articles may contain affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.