Glucagon injections are a generic prescription medication. They’re approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe hypoglycemia in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. They’re also given during certain radiology tests to help with the diagnosis of certain conditions.

For more information about uses for glucagon injections, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug details

Here are some details about glucagon injections:

  • Drug class: anti-hypoglycemic
  • Drug form: powder that’s mixed with liquid to form a solution and given by injection
  • Brand-name versions:

Read on to learn about glucagon injections and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of glucagon injections can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. The price could also depend on how much it costs to visit your doctor or healthcare professional to receive glucagon injections.

To find out what the cost of glucagon injections will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and glucagon injections.

Can you buy the injection form of glucagon over the counter?

No, you cannot buy the injection form of glucagon over the counter. Glucagon is only available with a prescription from your doctor.

Talk with your doctor about a prescription for glucagon if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

How can I determine the price of the injection form of glucagon?

To determine the price of the injectable form of glucagon, ask your pharmacist if they can provide a cost estimate for you. Your pharmacist can usually use information such as your treatment plan and insurance coverage to figure out what you might pay.

You can also ask your doctor or insurance company for more information on the price of glucagon injections.

The injection form of glucagon is available as the brand-name drugs GlucaGen and Gvoke.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics also tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the cost of a brand-name form compares with the cost of generic glucagon injections, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If your doctor has prescribed glucagon injections and you’re interested in using a brand-name version instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

The glucagon injections may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for glucagon injections, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and the injection form of glucagon, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to you and glucagon. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’ll likely pay for the drug.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.