Clinical information
Common uses
- severe low blood sugar in people with diabetes
- diagnostic aid to still the gut during X-ray examinations
Common side effects
- feeling sick
- vomiting
- headache
- dizziness
- injection site redness or swelling
Cautions
- not for people with certain rare tumours (pheochromocytoma, insulinoma, glucagonoma)
- allergic reactions including anaphylaxis can occur
- may not work if liver sugar stores are low (starvation, adrenal insufficiency)
- can raise blood sugar in diabetics when used diagnostically
Interactions
- beta-blockers — temporary rise in pulse and blood pressure
- indomethacin — glucagon may fail to raise blood sugar
- warfarin (blood thinner) — its effect may increase
- anticholinergic drugs — more gut side effects
- insulin — acts against glucagon
Pregnancy: no drug-linked risks identified in pregnancy
Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Glucagon for Injection (Amphastar) label, setid 8cc40354-b5ac-45b6-a211-93b44444f2a3 (accessed 2026-08-16)