Exploring the therapeutic landscape of glucagon

Abstract: Tight glycemic control is important to reduce complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Strict glycemic control is also encountered with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is associated with physical (palpitations, sweating, and cognitive impairment) and psychological morbidity (generalized anxiety and the fear of hypoglycemia), causing a reduction in the quality of life, and increased risk of mortality. There are many causes of the development of hypoglycemia, the most important being insulin (type 1 DM) and other antidiabetics, most commonly sulfonylureas (type 2 DM). Glucagon is a hormone of metabolic significance and acts as a counterregulatory hormone to insulin, promoting the release of glucose into the bloodstream. It is potentially an emergency medication which can rapidly raise blood glucose levels in patients who are unconscious or unable to consume glucose due to severe hypoglycemia. Newer, user-friendly formulations have made it easier to administer outside hospital settings, improving patient safety and outcomes. This article provides an overview of the physiological functions of glucagon and its clinical relevance, with an important insight into its use in the management of hypoglycemia.