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[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · Class

# Drugs that raise blood glucose

Drugs used to treat or prevent low blood sugar: glucagon for emergencies and diazoxide for excess insulin.

Updated 2026-11-01

## What they are

Glucagon releases glucose from liver glycogen; diazoxide opens the beta-cell KATP channel and stops insulin release.

## Mechanism of action

Glucagon activates the glucagon receptor (Gs, cAMP, protein kinase A) in the liver, which breaks down glycogen and switches on gluconeogenesis; it needs glycogen stores to work. Diazoxide, a benzothiadiazine without diuretic effect, binds SUR1 and keeps the KATP channel open, so the beta cell stays hyperpolarized and secretes less insulin.

Target: Glucagon receptor (liver) and SUR1 of the KATP channel (beta cell)

## Key points

- Glucagon is the treatment for severe hypoglycemia when the person cannot swallow and there is no IV access.
- Glucagon fails without liver glycogen: starvation, adrenal insufficiency or chronic hypoglycemia.
- Glucagon is contraindicated in pheochromocytoma (catecholamine surge) and insulinoma (rebound hypoglycemia).
- Diazoxide treats hypoglycemia from hyperinsulinism (inoperable insulinoma, hyperinsulinism in infants and children); it retains sodium and water.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Glucagon** The emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia when the person cannot eat: it releases the glucose stored in the liver. Glucagon receptor (GCGR)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/glucagon/)
- [**Diazoxide** An oral drug that opens the beta-cell potassium channel and stops insulin release. Used for hypoglycemia caused by too… Sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of the KATP channel](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/diazoxide/)

## Others in the class

- dasiglucagon (glucagon analogue)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why may glucagon not work in a malnourished patient with hypoglycemia?

Glucagon raises glucose mainly by breaking down liver glycogen; without glycogen stores there is little glucose to release, so IV glucose is needed.

## How do diazoxide and sulfonylureas compare at the beta cell?

Both bind SUR1 of the KATP channel, but sulfonylureas close it (more insulin) and diazoxide opens it (less insulin).

## What second messenger does glucagon use in the liver?

Cyclic AMP, made by adenylyl cyclase after the Gs-coupled glucagon receptor is activated; it activates protein kinase A.

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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Glucagon Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682480.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [DailyMed - GLUCAGON kit](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8cc40354-b5ac-45b6-a211-93b44444f2a3) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [DailyMed - DIAZOXIDE suspension](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=abe317a5-6c63-469c-89c8-9fedfe859c3d) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/drugs-that-raise-blood-glucose/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/drugs-that-raise-blood-glucose/