Glucagon
| Evidence Level: L5 | Predicted Indications: 1 |
Table of Contents
Glucagon: Irritable bowel syndrome
One-Sentence Summary
Glucagon is a peptide hormone used as an injectable in Australia. The TxGNN model predicts it may be relevant to irritable bowel syndrome, with a score of 0.9924. No study directly tests glucagon in this condition, so the evidence level is L5. The related trials and publications concern GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are different drugs.
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Not recorded in the local data |
| Predicted New Indication | Irritable bowel syndrome |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 0.9924 |
| Evidence Level | L5 |
| Australia Market Status | Listed on the PBS Schedule (1 of 1 items) – TGA (ARTG) registration status is not included in this data |
| Number of PBS Items | 1 (valid: 1) |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Detailed mechanism of action data for glucagon are not available in the data compiled for this report. Glucagon and GLP-1 are both derived from proglucagon, and GLP-1 and its analogues inhibit antro-duodeno-jejunal motility. Glucagon itself is used clinically as a spasmolytic during gastrointestinal imaging and endoscopy.
Reduced gut motor activity is plausibly relevant to IBS, particularly diarrhoea-predominant and pain or spasm-related symptoms. It could also be a concern in constipation-predominant IBS. Most mechanistic and clinical data come from GLP-1 receptor agonists rather than glucagon, so the link to glucagon is indirect and remains a hypothesis.
Clinical Trial Evidence
None of the trials below tests glucagon, so they support mechanism only.
| Trial Number | Phase | Status | Enrolment | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT01056107 | Phase 1/2 | Completed | 52 | ROSE-010 (a GLP-1 analogue) and gastrointestinal motor function in women with constipation-predominant IBS. Enrolled the target population, but the drug is not glucagon. |
| NCT02731664 | Phase 1 | Completed | 12 | Native GLP-1 versus the analogue ROSE-010 on meal-related stomach, duodenal and jejunal motility in humans. Did not enrol IBS patients. |
Literature Evidence
The publications below concern GLP-1 or GLP-1 receptor agonists, or IBS more broadly. None tests glucagon in IBS.
| PMID | Year | Type | Journal | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40134805 | 2025 | Systematic review | Front Endocrinol | GLP-1 receptor agonists and IBS improvement; notes that GLP-1 and ROSE-010 reduce gut motility in IBS patients. |
| 38997662 | 2024 | Systematic review | J Headache Pain | GLP-1 receptor agonists in headache and pain disorders; not specific to IBS. |
| 40697433 | 2025 | Cohort | Ann Gastroenterol | Prescribing and discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonists among patients with IBS. |
| 35234561 | 2022 | Clinical study cross-analysis | Scand J Gastroenterol | Pain relief with ROSE-010 in IBS, by patient characteristics. |
| 30444291 | 2019 | Review | Exp Physiol | Role of GLP-1 and intestinal L-cells in IBS pathophysiology. |
| 25427821 | 2015 | Review | Adv Exp Med Biol | Aerosolised GLP-1 for diabetes and IBS. |
| 41480755 | 2026 | Review | J Clin Invest | Gut-brain interaction mechanisms, including incretin-based therapies. |
| 30023410 | 2018 | Review | Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol | Brain-gut-microbiome axis. |
Australia Market Information
| ARTG Number | Product Name | Dosage Form | Approved Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARTG 1449G | GlucaGen Hypokit | Injection set containing glucagon hydrochloride 1 mg (1 I.U.) and 1 mL solvent in disposable syringe | Not available in the data compiled |
Safety Considerations
- Drug Interactions: 25 interactions were identified in the interaction databases, and 20 are listed in the data compiled for this report. All listed are classed as Minor. They include warfarin and a range of beta-blockers (for example atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, carvedilol, bisoprolol, labetalol, sotalol and timolol, including ophthalmic forms).
Please refer to the TGA-approved Product Information (PI) for warnings and contraindications.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: No study tests glucagon in irritable bowel syndrome. The supporting trials and publications involve GLP-1 and GLP-1 analogues, so the evidence level is L5 and the link to glucagon is indirect.
To proceed, the following is needed:
- Studies that test glucagon itself in IBS patients
- Mechanism of action data for glucagon
- Warnings and contraindications from the TGA-approved Product Information
- Clarification of effects in constipation-predominant versus diarrhoea-predominant IBS
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.