Glucagon

Glucagon is an emergency medication used when hypoglycemia is too severe for the person to correct safely with food or drink. It raises blood glucose by signaling the liver to release stored glucose through glycogenolysis and to generate additional glucose through gluconeogenesis. The liver functions as the body’s short-term glucose reserve. Glucagon opens that reserve during an emergency. If the reserve is depleted, the medication may produce little improvement even when it is administered correctly. Glucagon does not replace glucose. It temporarily mobilizes glucose already available in the liver. Once the person can swallow, oral carbohydrate is needed to restore glycogen stores and reduce the risk of another low glucose episode.