Glucagon

Identification

Summary

Glucagon is a form of recombinant glucagon used to treat hypoglycemia in diabetes mellitus and as a part of gastrointestinal imaging procedures.

Brand Names
Baqsimi, Glucagen, Gvoke
Generic Name
Glucagon
DrugBank Accession Number
DB00040
Background

Glucagon is a 29 amino acid hormone used as a diagnostic aid in radiologic exams to temporarily inhibit the movement of the gastrointestinal tract and to treat severe hypoglycemia.5,6,7,8,10 Glucagon raises blood sugar through activation of hepatic glucagon receptors, stimulating glycogenolysis and the release of glucose.7,8

Glucagon was granted FDA approval on 14 November 1960.4

Type
Biotech
Groups
Approved
Biologic Classification
Protein Based Therapies
Hormones
Protein Structure
Protein Chemical Formula
C165H249N49O51S1
Protein Average Weight
3767.1 Da
Sequences
>Glucagon for Injection Sequence 
HSQGTFTSDYSKYLDSRRAQDFVQWLMNT
Download FASTA Format
Synonyms
  • Glucagon
  • Glucagon (recombinant dna origin)
  • Glucagon recombinant
  • Glucagon, human
  • Glucagon, porcine
  • Glucagone
  • Glucagonum

Pharmacology

Indication

Glucagon is indicated as a diagnostic aid in radiologic exams to temporarily inhibit the movement of the gastrointestinal tract and to treat severe hypoglycemia.5,6,7,8,10

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Associated Conditions
Indication TypeIndicationCombined Product DetailsApproval LevelAge GroupPatient CharacteristicsDose Form
Treatment ofSevere hypoglycemia•••••••••••••••••••••
Treatment ofSevere hypoglycemia••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Treatment ofSevere hypoglycemia••••••••••••
Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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Pharmacodynamics

Glucagon is indicated as a diagnostic aid in radiologic exams to temporarily inhibit the movement of the gastrointestinal tract and severe hypoglycemia.1,5,6,7,8,10 Glucagon raises blood sugar through activation of hepatic glucagon receptors, stimulating glycogenolysis and the release of glucose.7,8 Glucagon has a short duration of action.5,6,7,8 Glucagon may cause hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.5,6,7,8

Mechanism of action

Glucagon binds to the glucagon receptor activating Gsα and Gq.1 This activation activates adenylate cyclase, which increases intracellular cyclic AMP and activates protein kinase A.1 Activating Gq activates phospholipase C, increases production of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, and releases intracellular calcium.1 Protein kinase A phosphorylates glycogen phosphorylase kinase, which phosphorylates glycogen phosphorylase, which phosphorylates glycogen, causing its breakdown.1

Glucagon also relaxes smooth muscle of the stomach, duodenum, small bowel, and colon.5,8

TargetActionsOrganism
AGlucagon receptor
agonist
Humans
UGlucagon-like peptide 2 receptor
agonist
Humans
UGlucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
agonist
Humans
Absorption

A 1mg intravenous dose of glucagon reaches a Cmax of 7.9ng/mL with a Tmax of 20 minutes.6 An intramuscular dose reaches a Cmax of 6.9ng/mL with a Tmax of 13 minutes.6 A 3mg dose of glucagon nasal powder reaches a Cmax of 6130pg/mL with a Tmax of 15 minutes.8

Volume of distribution

The volume of distribution of glucagon is 0.25L/kg.6 The apparent volume of distribution is 885L.8

Protein binding

Glucagon has not been described in the literature as bound to a protein in serum.2,3,5,6,7,8,9

Metabolism

Glucagon is a protein and so it is metabolized into smaller polypeptides and amino acids in the liver, kidney, and plasma.5,8

Route of elimination

Elimination of glucagon is not fully characterized in literature, however the kidney and liver appear to contribute significantly in animal models.2 The liver and kidney are responsible for approximately 30% of glucagon elimination each.9

Half-life

The half life of glucagon is 26 minutes for an intramuscular dose.5 The half life of glucagon nasal powder is approximately 35 minutes.8 The half life of glucagon by a subcutaneous auto-injector or pre-filled syringe is 32 minutes.10

Clearance

A 1mg intravenous dose of glucagon has a clearance of 13.5mL/min/kg.6

Adverse Effects
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Toxicity

Patients experiencing an overdose may present with nausea, vomiting, inhibition of GI tract motility, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and decreased serum potassium.5,6,7,8 Phentolamine may be given to control blood pressure.5,6,7,8 Treatment of glucagon overdose is largely symptomatic for nausea, vomiting, and hypokalemia.6

The LD50 for intravenous glucagon in mice is 300mg/kg and in rats is 38.6mg/kg.6

Pathways
Not Available
Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
Not Available

Interactions

Drug Interactions
This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
DrugInteraction
AcebutololThe therapeutic efficacy of Acebutolol can be decreased when used in combination with Glucagon.
AcenocoumarolThe therapeutic efficacy of Acenocoumarol can be increased when used in combination with Glucagon.
AclidiniumAclidinium may increase the gastrointestinal motility reducing activities of Glucagon.
AmitriptylineAmitriptyline may increase the gastrointestinal motility reducing activities of Glucagon.
AmoxapineAmoxapine may increase the gastrointestinal motility reducing activities of Glucagon.
Food Interactions
No interactions found.

Products

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Product Ingredients
IngredientUNIICASInChI Key
Glucagon hydrochloride1H87NVF4DB19179-82-9Not applicable
Brand Name Prescription Products
NameDosageStrengthRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
BaqsimiPowder3 mg/1NasalEli Lilly and Company2019-07-24Not applicableUS flag
Baqsimi3 mgEli Lilly Nederland B.V.2020-12-16Not applicableEU flag
BaqsimiPowder3 mg/1NasalAmphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.2019-07-24Not applicableUS flag
Baqsimi3 mgEli Lilly Nederland B.V.2020-12-16Not applicableEU flag
BaqsimiPowder3 mg/1NasalAmphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.2019-07-24Not applicableUS flag
Generic Prescription Products
NameDosageStrengthRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
GlucagonInjection, powder, for solution; Kit1 mg/1mLIntramuscular; Intravenous; SubcutaneousAmphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.2021-02-10Not applicableUS flag
GlucagonInjection, powder, for solution; Kit1 mg/1mLIntramuscular; Intravenous; SubcutaneousA-S Medication Solutions2021-02-10Not applicableUS flag
Mixture Products
NameIngredientsDosageRouteLabellerMarketing StartMarketing EndRegionImage
GlucagonGlucagon hydrochloride (1 mg/1mL) + Water (1 mL/1mL)KitIntramuscular; IntravenousFresenius Kabi USA, LLC2015-12-01Not applicableUS flag
GlucagonGlucagon hydrochloride (1 mg/1mL) + Water (1 mL/1mL)KitIntramuscular; IntravenousFresenius Kabi USA, LLC2019-09-09Not applicableUS flag
GlucagonGlucagon hydrochloride (1 mg/1mL) + Water (1 mL/1mL)KitIntramuscular; IntravenousFresenius Kabi USA, LLC2015-05-08Not applicableUS flag
GlucagonGlucagon hydrochloride (1 mg/1mL) + Water (1 mL/1mL)KitIntramuscular; IntravenousHF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst2020-03-10Not applicableUS flag

Categories

ATC Codes
H04AA01 — Glucagon
Drug Categories
Chemical TaxonomyProvided by Classyfire
Description
Not Available
Kingdom
Organic Compounds
Super Class
Organic Acids
Class
Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Sub Class
Amino Acids, Peptides, and Analogues
Direct Parent
Peptides
Alternative Parents
Not Available
Substituents
Not Available
Molecular Framework
Not Available
External Descriptors
Not Available
Affected organisms
  • Humans and other mammals

Chemical Identifiers

UNII
76LA80IG2G
CAS number
16941-32-5

References

General References
  1. Jiang G, Zhang BB: Glucagon and regulation of glucose metabolism. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Apr;284(4):E671-8. [Article]
  2. Zhou A, Pacini G, Ahren B, D'Argenio DZ: Glucagon clearance is regulated by nutritional state: evidence from experimental studies in mice. Diabetologia. 2014 Apr;57(4):801-8. doi: 10.1007/s00125-013-3148-x. Epub 2013 Dec 28. [Article]
  3. Holst JJ, Galbo H, Richter EA: Neutralization of glucagon by antiserum as a tool in glucagon physiology. Lack of depression of basal blood glucose after antiserum treatment in rats. J Clin Invest. 1978 Jul;62(1):182-90. doi: 10.1172/JCI109104. [Article]
  4. FDA Approved Drug Products: Glucagon Hydrochloride Injection (Discontinued) [Link]
  5. FDA Approved Drug Products: Glucagon Intravenous or Intramuscular Injection [Link]
  6. FDA Approved Drug Products: Glucagon for Injection [Link]
  7. FDA Approved Drug Products: Glucagon Subcutaneous, Intramuscular, or Intravenous Injection [Link]
  8. FDA Approved Drug Products: Glucagon Nasal Powder [Link]
  9. Medsafe New Zealand: Glucagon Data Sheet [Link]
  10. FDA Approved Drug Products: Glucagon Subcutaneous Auto-Injector and Pre-Filled Syringe [Link]
UniProt
Q8MJ25
Genbank
AF529185
KEGG Drug
D00116
KEGG Compound
C01501
PubChem Substance
46504732
RxNav
261716
ChEMBL
CHEMBL266481
Therapeutic Targets Database
DAP001037
PharmGKB
PA164779052
RxList
RxList Drug Page
Drugs.com
Drugs.com Drug Page
Wikipedia
Glucagon
FDA label
Download (43.7 KB)

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials
PhaseStatusPurposeConditionsCount
4CompletedBasic ScienceDrug Overdose / Overdose of Beta-adrenergic Blocking Drug1
4CompletedDiagnosticColon Cancer1
4CompletedDiagnosticDiabetes1
4CompletedDiagnosticHypopituitarism1
4CompletedTreatmentHypoglycemia / Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus1

Pharmacoeconomics

Manufacturers
  • Eli lilly and co
  • Novo nordisk pharmaceuticals inc
Packagers
  • Bedford Labs
  • Eli Lilly & Co.
  • Novo Nordisk Inc.
  • Physicians Total Care Inc.
Dosage Forms
FormRouteStrength
PowderNasal3 MG
PowderNasal3 mg/1
PowderNasal3 mg / container
PowderNasal3.000 mg
Injection, powder, for solutionIntramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous1 mg/1mL
Injection, powder, for solutionParenteral1 MG
Kit; powder, for solutionIntramuscular1 mg / vial
Injection, powder, for solutionParenteral1 mg/ml
Injection, powder, for solutionIntramuscular; Subcutaneous
Injection, powder, for solutionIntramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous1 mg/ml
Injection, powder, for solution; kitIntramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous1 mg/1mL
Injection, solutionSubcutaneous1 mg
Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solutionIntramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous1 mg
Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solutionIntramuscular; Intravenous1 mg/1mL
KitIntramuscular; Intravenous
KitIntramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous1 mg/1mL
Kit; powder, for solutionIntramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous1 mg / vial
Powder, for solutionIntramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous1 mg / mL
Injection, solutionSubcutaneous0.5 mg/0.1mL
Injection, solutionSubcutaneous1 mg/0.2mL
Injection, solutionSubcutaneous0.5 mg
SolutionParenteral1.00 U
SolutionParenteral1 mg/1ml
Prices
Unit descriptionCostUnit
Glucagon 1 mg kit128.34USD kit
Glucagon Emergency 1 mg Kit Box124.05USD box
GlucaGen HypoKit 1 mg Solution Box123.72USD box
Glucagen 1 mg hypokit120.36USD kit
Glucagon 1 mg emergency kit119.28USD kit
Glucagon 1 mg/vial94.98USD vial
Glucagen 1 mg vial84.0USD vial
DrugBank does not sell nor buy drugs. Pricing information is supplied for informational purposes only.
Patents
Patent NumberPediatric ExtensionApprovedExpires (estimated)Region
US10213487No2019-02-262036-02-16US flag
US6938798No2005-09-062022-01-03US flag
US9649364No2017-05-162036-04-22US flag
US10765602No2020-09-082039-09-23US flag
US10894133No2021-01-192038-01-03US flag
US11590205No2016-04-222036-04-22US flag

Properties

State
Liquid
Experimental Properties
PropertyValueSource
isoelectric point7.1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3005042/

Targets

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insights and accelerate drug research.
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Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
Yes
Actions
Agonist
General Function
Peptide hormone binding
Specific Function
G-protein coupled receptor for glucagon that plays a central role in the regulation of blood glucose levels and glucose homeostasis. Regulates the rate of hepatic glucose production by promoting gl...
Gene Name
GCGR
Uniprot ID
P47871
Uniprot Name
Glucagon receptor
Molecular Weight
54008.44 Da
References
  1. Katayama T, Shimamoto S, Oda H, Nakahara K, Kangawa K, Murakami N: Glucagon receptor expression and glucagon stimulation of ghrelin secretion in rat stomach. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Jun 15;357(4):865-70. Epub 2007 Apr 9. [Article]
  2. Li P, Rogers T, Smiley D, DiMarchi RD, Zhang F: Design, synthesis and crystallization of a novel glucagon analog as a therapeutic agent. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun. 2007 Jul 1;63(Pt 7):599-601. Epub 2007 Jun 15. [Article]
  3. Li XC, Zhuo JL: Targeting glucagon receptor signalling in treating metabolic syndrome and renal injury in Type 2 diabetes: theory versus promise. Clin Sci (Lond). 2007 Aug;113(4):183-93. [Article]
  4. Fischer AJ, Stanke JJ, Ghai K, Scott M, Omar G: Development of bullwhip neurons in the embryonic chicken retina. J Comp Neurol. 2007 Aug 1;503(4):538-49. [Article]
  5. Winzell MS, Brand CL, Wierup N, Sidelmann UG, Sundler F, Nishimura E, Ahren B: Glucagon receptor antagonism improves islet function in mice with insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet. Diabetologia. 2007 Jul;50(7):1453-62. Epub 2007 May 4. [Article]
  6. Chen X, Ji ZL, Chen YZ: TTD: Therapeutic Target Database. Nucleic Acids Res. 2002 Jan 1;30(1):412-5. [Article]
  7. Menzel S, Stoffel M, Espinosa R 3rd, Fernald AA, Le Beau MM, Bell GI: Localization of the glucagon receptor gene to human chromosome band 17q25. Genomics. 1994 Mar 15;20(2):327-8. [Article]
  8. Brubaker PL, Drucker DJ: Structure-function of the glucagon receptor family of G protein-coupled receptors: the glucagon, GIP, GLP-1, and GLP-2 receptors. Receptors Channels. 2002;8(3-4):179-88. [Article]
  9. Lok S, Kuijper JL, Jelinek LJ, Kramer JM, Whitmore TE, Sprecher CA, Mathewes S, Grant FJ, Biggs SH, Rosenberg GB, et al.: The human glucagon receptor encoding gene: structure, cDNA sequence and chromosomal localization. Gene. 1994 Mar 25;140(2):203-9. [Article]
Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
Unknown
Actions
Agonist
General Function
Glucagon receptor activity
Specific Function
This is a receptor for glucagon-like peptide 2. The activity of this receptor is mediated by G proteins which activate adenylyl cyclase.
Gene Name
GLP2R
Uniprot ID
O95838
Uniprot Name
Glucagon-like peptide 2 receptor
Molecular Weight
63000.84 Da
References
  1. Overington JP, Al-Lazikani B, Hopkins AL: How many drug targets are there? Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Dec;5(12):993-6. [Article]
  2. Imming P, Sinning C, Meyer A: Drugs, their targets and the nature and number of drug targets. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2006 Oct;5(10):821-34. [Article]
  3. Boushey RP, Yusta B, Drucker DJ: Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-2 reduces chemotherapy-associated mortality and enhances cell survival in cells expressing a transfected GLP-2 receptor. Cancer Res. 2001 Jan 15;61(2):687-93. [Article]
  4. Munroe DG, Gupta AK, Kooshesh F, Vyas TB, Rizkalla G, Wang H, Demchyshyn L, Yang ZJ, Kamboj RK, Chen H, McCallum K, Sumner-Smith M, Drucker DJ, Crivici A: Prototypic G protein-coupled receptor for the intestinotrophic factor glucagon-like peptide 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Feb 16;96(4):1569-73. [Article]
  5. Estall JL, Koehler JA, Yusta B, Drucker DJ: The glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor C terminus modulates beta-arrestin-2 association but is dispensable for ligand-induced desensitization, endocytosis, and G-protein-dependent effector activation. J Biol Chem. 2005 Jun 10;280(23):22124-34. Epub 2005 Apr 6. [Article]
  6. Brubaker PL, Drucker DJ: Structure-function of the glucagon receptor family of G protein-coupled receptors: the glucagon, GIP, GLP-1, and GLP-2 receptors. Receptors Channels. 2002;8(3-4):179-88. [Article]
Kind
Protein
Organism
Humans
Pharmacological action
Unknown
Actions
Agonist
General Function
Transmembrane signaling receptor activity
Specific Function
This is a receptor for glucagon-like peptide 1. The activity of this receptor is mediated by G proteins which activate adenylyl cyclase.
Gene Name
GLP1R
Uniprot ID
P43220
Uniprot Name
Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor
Molecular Weight
53025.22 Da
References
  1. Korner M, Stockli M, Waser B, Reubi JC: GLP-1 receptor expression in human tumors and human normal tissues: potential for in vivo targeting. J Nucl Med. 2007 May;48(5):736-43. [Article]
  2. Baggio LL, Drucker DJ: Biology of incretins: GLP-1 and GIP. Gastroenterology. 2007 May;132(6):2131-57. [Article]
  3. Fischer AJ, Stanke JJ, Ghai K, Scott M, Omar G: Development of bullwhip neurons in the embryonic chicken retina. J Comp Neurol. 2007 Aug 1;503(4):538-49. [Article]
  4. Brubaker PL, Drucker DJ: Structure-function of the glucagon receptor family of G protein-coupled receptors: the glucagon, GIP, GLP-1, and GLP-2 receptors. Receptors Channels. 2002;8(3-4):179-88. [Article]

Drug created at June 13, 2005 13:24 / Updated at March 18, 2024 16:48