Glucagen

Glucagon is a medication consisting of a synthetic polypeptide hormone identical to the glucagon naturally produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas, and it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily for the emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes who are unable to ingest carbohydrates orally.[1] It functions as an antihypoglycemic agent by binding to glucagon receptors on hepatocytes, which activates adenylate cyclase to increase intracellular cyclic AMP levels, thereby promoting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis to rapidly elevate blood glucose concentrations.[1] Glucagon is also indicated as a diagnostic aid to temporarily relax the smooth muscles of the stomach, duodenum, and small bowel during radiographic examinations.[2]