Glucagon
FDA-approved life-saving peptide for severe hypoglycaemia — now foundational component of GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonists.
Research facts
| Half-life | ~3–6 minutes |
|---|---|
| Route | IM / SubQ / Intranasal (Baqsimi) |
| Typical dose | 1 mg (emergency use) / Variable in metabolic research |
| Frequency | Emergency use / Research protocol dependent |
| Solvent | Commercial formulation / BAC water |
| pH | 2.5–3.5 |
| Stability | Reconstituted — use immediately |
Mechanism of action
Glucagon is a 29-amino acid peptide produced by pancreatic alpha cells. It acts on hepatic glucagon receptors to stimulate glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, rapidly raising blood glucose. It is the primary counter-regulatory hormone to insulin. FDA-approved emergency treatment for severe hypoglycaemia. Beyond emergency use, glucagon is now central to next-generation metabolic drug design — its receptor activation in the liver and brain drives energy expenditure (thermogenesis), fat oxidation, and satiety. Retatrutide (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon) and other triple agonists exploit glucagon receptor activation for superior metabolic outcomes.
Documented effects (research-model)
- FDA-approved emergency treatment for severe hypoglycaemia
- Liver glycogenolysis (rapid glucose restoration)
- Thermogenic effect via glucagon receptor (energy expenditure)
- Central component of next-gen triple agonist metabolic drugs
- Intranasal formulation (Baqsimi) — no injection required for emergency use
Research protocols
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Cycle | Vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency | 1 mg IM/SubQ | Once (emergency) | N/A | GlucaGen Kit / Baqsimi nasal powder |
Research context only. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before any protocol decision.
Synergies
- Retatrutide HIGH
Retatrutide is a GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon receptor triple agonist — glucagon receptor component drives thermogenesis that amplifies the metabolic benefit beyond dual agonists.
Myths & misconceptions
Evidence gaps
- Chronic glucagon receptor agonism effects (isolated from GLP-1 co-agonism) not fully characterised.
- Glucagon receptor contribution to weight loss in triple agonists vs. GLP-1/GIP components difficult to isolate.
Safety notes
Emergency use: well-tolerated single dose. Chronic research use: nausea, hepatic effects. Emergency kits have extended shelf life and good stability. Not for ongoing metabolic research as a standalone compound.
Biomarkers to monitor
Primary-source citations
- PMID 29431098 — The glucagon receptor as a target for novel therapies (Physiol Rev. 2018)
Frequently asked
What is Glucagon?
Glucagon (Glucagon — Counter-Regulatory Hormone) is a research compound classified in our library as Tier B — Some human data + strong preclinical evidence.. FDA-approved life-saving peptide for severe hypoglycaemia — now foundational component of GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonists.
What is the evidence tier for Glucagon?
We classify Glucagon as Tier B: Some human data + strong preclinical evidence. See our full peptide evidence tiers explainer for how we assign S/A/B/C/D.
What is the research dose of Glucagon?
For Glucagon, typical research dose is 1 mg (emergency use) / Variable in metabolic research, route is IM / SubQ / Intranasal (Baqsimi), half-life is ~3–6 minutes. Protocols vary by research goal — see the protocols section on this page for standard and advanced dosing schedules. Research use only, not medical advice.
What does Glucagon stack well with?
Glucagon stacks well with Retatrutide. Retatrutide is a GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon receptor triple agonist — glucagon receptor component drives thermogenesis that amplifies the metabolic benefit beyond dual agonists.
Is Glucagon safe?
Emergency use: well-tolerated single dose. Chronic research use: nausea, hepatic effects. Research context only — no compound on this site is approved for human therapeutic use unless explicitly noted.