glucagon
Brand names: Baqsimi, GlucaGen
Glucagon is a medicine that helps raise your blood sugar if it gets too low. It can also be used to temporarily slow down your digestive system for certain medical tests.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$277.03/unit
Generic Price
$209.53/unit
Generic Savings
24%
Generic Available
Yes (4 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Glucagon is used to treat very low blood sugar in adults and children who have diabetes.
Common side effects
Nausea, Vomiting, Headache
Key warnings
You should not take this medicine if you have a tumor in your adrenal gland called pheochromocytoma.
How It Works
Glucagon works by telling your liver to release stored sugar into your blood. This raises your blood sugar level quickly. It also relaxes the muscles in your stomach and intestines.
How to Take It
To treat low blood sugar, adults and kids who weigh 44 pounds or more should get 1 mg injected under the skin, into a muscle, or into a vein. Kids who weigh less than 44 pounds should get 0.5 mg injected under the skin, into a muscle, or into a vein. If you don't feel better after 15 minutes, you can take another dose while waiting for help. Only inject into a vein under medical supervision.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Studies haven't shown any risk to the baby during pregnancy. Glucagon is not expected to cause harm to a breastfeeding infant because it will be broken down in the baby's stomach.
Missed Dose
Glucagon is used when you have very low blood sugar, so you don't take it on a regular schedule. Take it as soon as you notice the symptoms of low blood sugar.
Storage
Store glucagon at room temperature, away from light, and do not freeze. Do not use after the expiration date.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 2,696 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 3,944 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
3,944
Death-Related Reports
654
Hospitalization Reports
1,898
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 362 |
| 2 | DYSPNOEA | 354 |
| 3 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 313 |
| 4 | HYPOTENSION | 286 |
| 5 | HYPOGLYCAEMIA | 268 |
| 6 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 244 |
| 7 | TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS | 230 |
| 8 | HAEMOPTYSIS | 214 |
| 9 | ANXIETY | 213 |
| 10 | NAUSEA | 212 |
| 11 | DEATH | 209 |
| 12 | PAIN IN EXTREMITY | 202 |
| 13 | BLOOD GLUCOSE DECREASED | 193 |
| 14 | BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED | 193 |
| 15 | VOMITING | 191 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
You should not take this medicine if you have a tumor in your adrenal gland called pheochromocytoma. It can cause a large increase in blood pressure. Also, you should not take it if you have a tumor called insulinoma, as it can cause low blood sugar. Do not take if you are allergic to glucagon.
Known Drug Interactions
Warfarin Clinical Impact: Glucagon for Injection may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Intervention: Monitor patients for unusual bruising or bleeding, as adjustments in warfarin dosage may be required. ( 7 ) • Warfarin : Glucagon for Injection may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Mechanism: Glucagon can make warfarin more powerful, which increases the risk of bleeding.
What to do: Watch for unusual bruising or bleeding and tell your doctor, as your warfarin dose may need to be changed.
Indomethacin Clinical Impact: In patients taking indomethacin, Glucagon for Injection may lose its ability to raise blood glucose or may even produce hypoglycemia. Intervention: Monitor blood glucose levels during glucagon treatment of patients taking indomethacin. ( 7 ) • Indomethacin : In patients taking indomethacin Glucagon for Injection may lose its ability to raise glucose or may produce hypoglycemia.
Mechanism: Indomethacin can prevent glucagon from raising your blood sugar and may even cause your blood sugar to drop too low.
What to do: You should check your blood sugar levels carefully if you are using glucagon while taking indomethacin.
The following are examples of medications that may reduce the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas including glimepiride, leading to worsening glycemic control: danazol, glucagon, somatropin, protease inhibitors, atypical antipsychotic medications (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), barbiturates, diazoxide, laxatives, rifampin, thiazides and other diuretics, corticosteroids, phenothiazines, thyroid hormones, estrogens, oral contraceptives, phenytoin, nicotinic acid, sympathomimetics (e.g., epinephrine, albuterol, terbutaline), and isoniazid.
Mechanism: Glucagon is used to raise blood sugar, so it works against glimepiride's ability to lower it.
What to do: Keep a close eye on your blood sugar readings and talk to your doctor about any changes in your control.
Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of NOVOLOG Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. • Drugs that may decrease the blood glucose lowering effect: atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptive...
Mechanism: Glucagon acts to raise blood sugar, which directly opposes the way insulin works to lower it. This makes the insulin less effective at controlling your sugar levels.
What to do: Talk to your doctor about how to manage your insulin dose when using glucagon. You should check your blood sugar levels more often.
Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of XULTOPHY 100/3.6 Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones.
Mechanism: Glucagon naturally raises blood sugar, which works against the way insulin lowers it.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your insulin dose or monitor your blood sugar more often.
Common Questions
What should I do if I feel sick after taking glucagon?
How will I know if the glucagon is working?
Can I use glucagon if I don't have diabetes?
Can I drive after taking glucagon?
How should I teach my family/friends to use glucagon?
What if the glucagon solution looks cloudy?
Can I use glucagon for mild low blood sugar?
How often can I use glucagon?
Does glucagon expire?
Can I inject glucagon into my arm?
What are the common side effects of glucagon?
Does glucagon interact with other medications?
What drug class is glucagon?
Is there a generic version of glucagon?
Is glucagon safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Glucagon (Hypoglycemia Rescue)
Other drugs grouped near glucagon — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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bromocriptine
Cycloset
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Medication Guides
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Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for glucagon
The FDA label for glucagon (sold under brand names such as Baqsimi, GlucaGen) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Glucagon (Hypoglycemia Rescue) class. Glucagon is used to treat very low blood sugar in adults and children who have diabetes. Official labeling lists 9 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Headache.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,696 voluntary reports. The database also lists 14 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $209.53 versus $277.03 for the brand — a 24% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 15, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages