Glucagon
Glucagon is an FDA-approved pancreatic hormone in the Glucagon Receptor Agonist class. Glucagon is released by pancreatic alpha cells in response to falling blood glucose and acts on the hepatic glucagon receptor, a Gs-coupled receptor that raises cyclic AMP and activates protein kinase A.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- โ
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 3482.7 g/mol
- Half-life
- โ
- FDA status
- Approved
- Administration Route
- subcutaneous, intramuscular, intranasal
- Frequency
- โ
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
Research summary
Endogenous 29-amino-acid pancreatic hormone, approved as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycaemia and as a diagnostic aid to inhibit gastrointestinal motility during imaging. Available as injection and nasal powder.
Peptide Library's Glucagon profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
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- Frequency
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- Cycle
- โ
- Administration Route
- subcutaneous, intramuscular, intranasal
- Reconstitution Guide
- โ
Sequence & molecular data
| Amino acid sequence | His-Ser-Gln-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Ser-Arg-Arg-Ala-Gln-Asp-Phe-Val-Gln-Trp-Leu-Met-Asn-Thr |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C153H225N43O49S |
| Molecular weight | 3482.7 g/mol |
| PubChem CID | 16132283 |
| FDA UNII | 76LA80IG2G |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Glucagon is released by pancreatic alpha cells in response to falling blood glucose and acts on the hepatic glucagon receptor, a Gs-coupled receptor that raises cyclic AMP and activates protein kinase A. The result is stimulation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and inhibition of glycogen synthesis, raising hepatic glucose output. It also relaxes smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, which is the basis for its diagnostic use.
Studies
- Transmucosal glucagon rapidly increases blood glucose concentration in healthy cats
- Immunogenicity of the Novel Glucagon Analogue Dasiglucagon: Results of a Dedicated Immunogenicity Trial in Type 1 Diabetes
- Glucagon receptor antagonism requires further mechanistic attention on ฮฑ-cell physiology
- Hepatic glucagon action: beyond glucose mobilization
- Glucagon: Delivery advancements for hypoglycemia management
Regulatory & research status
Glucagon is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Research status | Approved product (see FDA status) |
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
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Potential Side Effects
No side effects listed yet for this entry.
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freezeโthaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution โ
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544โ575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Glucagon: frequently asked questions
What is Glucagon?
Endogenous 29-amino-acid pancreatic hormone, approved as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycaemia and as a diagnostic aid to inhibit gastrointestinal motility during imaging. Available as injection and nasal powder.
How does Glucagon work?
Glucagon is released by pancreatic alpha cells in response to falling blood glucose and acts on the hepatic glucagon receptor, a Gs-coupled receptor that raises cyclic AMP and activates protein kinase A. The result is stimulation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and inhibition of glycogen synthesis, raising hepatic glucose output.
Is Glucagon FDA approved?
Yes. Glucagon is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What is the amino acid sequence of Glucagon?
Glucagon has the sequence His-Ser-Gln-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Ser-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Ser-Arg-Arg-Ala-Gln-Asp-Phe-Val-Gln-Trp-Leu-Met-Asn-Thr, giving a chain of 29 amino acids. Its molecular formula is C153H225N43O49S.
What peptides are similar to Glucagon?
Compounds most often compared with Glucagon include Dulaglutide, Exenatide, Liraglutide and Lixisenatide. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Transmucosal glucagon rapidly increases blood glucose concentration in healthy cats โ J Feline Med Surg, 2024External reference
- Immunogenicity of the Novel Glucagon Analogue Dasiglucagon: Results of a Dedicated Immunogenicity Trial in Type 1 Diabetes โ Diabetes Technol Ther, 2021External reference
- Glucagon receptor antagonism requires further mechanistic attention on ฮฑ-cell physiology โ Trends Endocrinol Metab, 2025External reference
- Hepatic glucagon action: beyond glucose mobilization โ Physiol Rev, 2024External reference
- Glucagon: Delivery advancements for hypoglycemia management โ Int J Pharm, 2024External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial ยท Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 ยท Updated Aug 30, 2026 ยท Version 1
This Glucagon profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy ยท How profiles are compiled ยท Report an error
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