glucagon

Glucagon is a peptide hormone and biologic drug used primarily to treat severe hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar), especially in people with diabetes who are unable to take oral glucose. It is also used as a diagnostic aid during radiologic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract to temporarily inhibit gut motility. Mechanistically, glucagon acts as an agonist at the hepatic glucagon receptor—a G protein-coupled receptor—stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver, which increases blood glucose levels. The activation of this receptor leads to increased cyclic AMP (cAMP) production and subsequent activation of protein kinase A, resulting in the breakdown of glycogen into glucose[2][3][4][5]. Glucagon was first approved by the FDA in 1960[4].

Brand names

BaqsimiGlucagenGvokeGlucagon Emergency Kit for Low Blood Sugar

Other names

Xeris glucagonReady-to-use glucagonInjectable stable glucagon - Xeris