Comprehensive medication guide to Baqsimi including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay for commercially insured patients; Tier 2–3 on most plans. With the Baqsimi Got Your BAQ savings card, commercially insured patients pay as little as $25. Medicare generally does not cover Baqsimi; prior authorization may be required by some plans.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$300–$401 retail for a single Baqsimi One Pack device; approximately $817 for the Two Pack. No generic is available as of 2026. With a GoodRx coupon, prices may be reduced to approximately $280 at some pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
75/100
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Baqsimi (glucagon nasal powder 3 mg) is the first and only nasally administered glucagon rescue treatment approved by the FDA. It is used for the emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) in adults and children ages 1 year and older with diabetes.
Baqsimi was originally developed by Eli Lilly and received FDA approval on July 24, 2019. It is now manufactured and marketed by Amphastar Pharmaceuticals. The drug's approval was expanded in 2025 to include patients as young as 1 year old. Baqsimi is consistently the #1 prescribed glucagon in the United States.
Unlike traditional injectable glucagon kits that require reconstitution (mixing powder with liquid before injection), Baqsimi is a ready-to-use device — a single puff into one nostril. No needles, no mixing, no priming. This simplicity makes it far easier for caregivers to administer during a stressful emergency.
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Baqsimi works by delivering glucagon — a natural hormone produced by the pancreas — through the nasal mucosa (the lining of the nose) into the bloodstream. The powder formulation contains betadex and dodecylphosphocholine as excipients, which help the glucagon peptide absorb across the nasal lining without the need for inhalation.
Once glucagon reaches the bloodstream, it binds to glucagon receptors on liver cells and activates a cascade that stimulates glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis). The liver converts its stored glycogen back into glucose and releases it into the bloodstream, rapidly raising blood sugar levels. Baqsimi achieves peak plasma levels in approximately 15 minutes and raises average blood glucose by about 140 mg/dL in adults.
Clinical studies confirm that Baqsimi works even when patients have a common cold with nasal congestion — with or without decongestant use — because absorption occurs through the nasal lining, not through airflow.
3 mg — nasal powder (intranasal device)
Single-use device delivering one dose of 3 mg glucagon powder into one nostril. Available as One Pack (1 device) or Two Pack (2 devices). Dose is the same for all patients ages 1 and older regardless of weight.
As of 2026, Baqsimi is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. However, localized stock-outs at individual pharmacies are common. Its brand-only status (no generic available), high retail price (~$300-$400 per device), and unpredictable demand as a rescue medication all contribute to availability gaps.
Large chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart Pharmacy are more likely to have Baqsimi in stock than independent pharmacies due to higher purchasing volume. Mail-order pharmacy through insurance may also be a reliable option for planned refills. Patients can also ask any pharmacy to order Baqsimi, which typically arrives within 1-2 business days.
If you're having trouble finding Baqsimi in stock at a local pharmacy, medfinder can help. medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones have Baqsimi in stock and texts results directly to you — saving you the time and frustration of calling multiple locations yourself.
Baqsimi is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. Any licensed prescriber in the United States can write a Baqsimi prescription without special DEA registration or restrictions. It can be prescribed via telehealth.
Endocrinologists (most common; specialist in diabetes and metabolism)
Primary Care Physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Pediatricians and Pediatric Endocrinologists (for patients ages 1 and older)
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) with prescribing authority
Physician Assistants (PAs) with prescribing authority
Baqsimi can be prescribed through telehealth platforms since it is not a controlled substance. Patients can access virtual urgent care, primary care, or specialty diabetes telemedicine services to obtain a Baqsimi prescription without an in-person visit.
No. Baqsimi (glucagon nasal powder) is not a controlled substance and is not classified by the DEA under any schedule. There are no special prescribing restrictions, no prescription quantity limits, and no reporting requirements associated with its controlled substance status.
Any licensed prescriber — including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can prescribe Baqsimi. Because it is not controlled, it can also be prescribed via telehealth without in-person visit requirements. Refills are permitted without the restrictions applicable to controlled substances.
The most commonly reported side effects of Baqsimi in clinical trials include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Upper respiratory tract irritation (throat irritation)
Nasal itching or discomfort (nasal pruritus)
Watery or red eyes (ocular symptoms)
Parosmia (altered sense of smell)
Anaphylaxis — generalized rash, difficulty breathing, hypotension. Rare; requires immediate emergency care.
Hypertensive crisis — in patients with pheochromocytoma (contraindicated).
Rebound hypoglycemia — in patients with insulinoma (contraindicated).
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Gvoke (glucagon injection)
Ready-to-use glucagon autoinjector (HypoPen) or prefilled syringe by Xeris Pharmaceuticals. Approved for ages 2+. Subcutaneous injection with comparable efficacy to Baqsimi (>98% treatment success). Main trade-off is needle delivery vs. Baqsimi's nasal route.
Zegalogue (dasiglucagon)
Glucagon analog autoinjector or prefilled syringe by Zealand Pharma. Approved for ages 6+. Stable up to 3 years refrigerated or 1 year room temperature. Efficacy comparable to Baqsimi with >98% treatment success in trials.
GlucaGen HypoKit
Traditional reconstitution glucagon kit by Novo Nordisk. Requires mixing powder with liquid before injection. Widely stocked and generally less expensive than modern ready-to-use products. Appropriate when modern options are unavailable; caregiver training on reconstitution is essential.
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Warfarin
moderateBaqsimi (glucagon) may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Monitor INR after Baqsimi use; adjust warfarin dosing as needed.
Beta-blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol)
moderateBeta-blockers may blunt glucagon's blood sugar-raising effect and mask hypoglycemia symptoms (suppressed tachycardia). Transient blood pressure increase may be more pronounced.
Indomethacin
majorIndomethacin may reduce or eliminate Baqsimi's glucose-raising effect or paradoxically cause hypoglycemia. Alternative emergency plans (IV glucose) may be needed for patients on indomethacin.
Alcohol
moderateAlcohol lowers blood sugar and can deplete liver glycogen stores, reducing Baqsimi's effectiveness. Alcohol-related hypoglycemia may require IV glucose rather than glucagon.
Baqsimi (glucagon nasal powder 3 mg) is a genuine advancement in emergency hypoglycemia management. Its needle-free nasal delivery dramatically lowers the barrier for caregivers in an emergency — no reconstitution, no needles, no priming. For any patient with insulin-dependent diabetes, having Baqsimi on hand could mean the difference between a manageable emergency and a life-threatening one.
The primary challenges in 2026 are cost and availability. With a retail price of $300-$400 per device and no generic, Baqsimi remains financially out of reach for some patients without assistance. The Baqsimi Got Your BAQ savings card ($25 for commercially insured patients) and the Lilly Cares Patient Assistance Program (free for qualifying uninsured patients) are the two most important resources for overcoming this barrier.
For pharmacy availability, medfinder is the fastest way to locate Baqsimi in stock near you. medfinder contacts pharmacies on your behalf and texts you the results — so you can focus on staying prepared rather than making dozens of phone calls.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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