Incretin & metabolic research compounds
Glucagon
Also known as dasiglucagon · nasal glucagon · GCG
The pancreatic alpha-cell hormone that raises blood glucose — the counter-regulatory partner to insulin and a component of newer multi-agonist research molecules.
In 60 seconds
An approved medicine for severe hypoglycaemia, available as injectable, nasal and ready-to-use aqueous analogue (dasiglucagon) forms; glucagon-receptor antagonists have also been explored. Trials report safety and tolerability for rescue formulations comparable to reconstituted glucagon injection; glucagon-receptor blockade has brought its own adverse effects in research.
- In a phase 3 randomised trial in adults with type 1 diabetes, median time to glucose recovery was 10 minutes with dasiglucagon versus 40 minutes with placebo.
- A meta-analysis found intranasal and injected glucagon equally effective at resolving hypoglycaemia in conscious type 1 diabetes patients.
- A meta-analysis assessed low-dose glucagon to prevent and treat exercise-associated hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes.
Mechanism
Glucagon binds the glucagon receptor (GCGR), mainly on liver cells, driving glycogen breakdown and glucose production. Its receptor is one of the targets combined with GLP-1 and GIP agonism in newer dual and triple agonist research compounds.
Research status
An approved medicine for severe hypoglycaemia, available as injectable, nasal and ready-to-use aqueous analogue (dasiglucagon) forms; glucagon-receptor antagonists have also been explored.
Key studies
In a phase 3 randomised trial in adults with type 1 diabetes, median time to glucose recovery was 10 minutes with dasiglucagon versus 40 minutes with placebo.
Dasiglucagon-A Next-Generation Glucagon Analog for Rapid and Effective Treatment of Severe Hypoglycemia: Results of Phase 3 Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial — Diabetes Care, 2021 · PMID 35239971
A meta-analysis found intranasal and injected glucagon equally effective at resolving hypoglycaemia in conscious type 1 diabetes patients.
Intranasal versus injectable glucagon for hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis — Acta Diabetol, 2020 · PMID 32025860
A meta-analysis assessed low-dose glucagon to prevent and treat exercise-associated hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes.
Low-Dose Glucagon to Prevent and Treat Exercise-Associated Hypoglycemia in Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis — Diabetes Care, 2025 · PMID 40834249
Reviews glucagon-receptor antagonism and the open questions about its effects on alpha cells.
Glucagon receptor antagonism requires further mechanistic attention on α-cell physiology — Trends Endocrinol Metab, 2025 · PMID 40835484
Safety signals in the literature
Trials report safety and tolerability for rescue formulations comparable to reconstituted glucagon injection; glucagon-receptor blockade has brought its own adverse effects in research.
Legal status (South Africa)
Approved incretin medicines are prescription-only (scheduled) in South Africa and available only through a prescriber; research-grade material is not a medicine and is not for human use.
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Comparisons
Questions
What is Glucagon?
The pancreatic alpha-cell hormone that raises blood glucose — the counter-regulatory partner to insulin and a component of newer multi-agonist research molecules. Glucagon binds the glucagon receptor (GCGR), mainly on liver cells, driving glycogen breakdown and glucose production. Its receptor is one of the targets combined with GLP-1 and GIP agonism in newer dual and triple agonist research compounds.
What is the research status of Glucagon?
An approved medicine for severe hypoglycaemia, available as injectable, nasal and ready-to-use aqueous analogue (dasiglucagon) forms; glucagon-receptor antagonists have also been explored.
What safety signals are reported for Glucagon?
Trials report safety and tolerability for rescue formulations comparable to reconstituted glucagon injection; glucagon-receptor blockade has brought its own adverse effects in research.
Does Living Water Labs stock Glucagon?
Not at present. Glucagon is profiled here for reference, with citations to the published literature. You can ask to be notified if we add it. Approved incretin medicines are prescription-only (scheduled) in South Africa and available only through a prescriber; research-grade material is not a medicine and is not for human use.
More in Incretin & metabolic
Research reference only. This page summarises published literature; it is not medical advice and contains no guidance on human use. Products supplied by Living Water Labs are for laboratory research only.
