Glucagon

How it works

Insulin's opposite, from the pancreas: in a severe sugar crash it makes the liver turn glycogen, its stored sugar, into glucose.

What it's made of

29 amino acids, identical to the human hormone. It comes from the same gene as GLP-1 and GLP-2: proglucagon. It does the opposite of insulin: it raises blood sugar.

What it's for

Prescribed for

Severe hypoglycemia in diabetes, in adults and children. Into a vein or muscle, also to slow down the gut during an X-ray.