What is diazoxide (oral)?
Diazoxide given orally raises blood sugar by slowing the release of insulin from the
pancreas.
Diazoxide is used to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) related to certain cancers that
affect the pancreas and cause it to release too much insulin.
Diazoxide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diazoxide (oral)?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to diazoxide or diuretics
(water pills). Oral diazoxide should not be used to treat occasional hypoglycemia related to diet.
Before taking diazoxide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
congestive heart failure;
-
kidney disease;
-
gout;
-
high cholesterol or triglycerides; or
-
low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take diazoxide.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant before you take diazoxide.
Diazoxide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take diazoxide (oral)?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure
you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with the marked medicine dropper provided, not with
a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Diazoxide usually begins to work within 1 hour, and its effects can last up to 8 hours.
If your blood sugar gets too high (hyperglycemia), you may have symptoms such as
increased thirst, loss of appetite, fruity breath odor, increased urination, drowsiness, dry skin,
nausea, and vomiting. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your
urine will need to be tested often for the presence of glucose (sugar) or ketones. You may be
able to do this testing at home. Call your doctor if you have any abnormal test result.
Your doctor may also want you to have blood or urine tests at regular intervals. Do
not miss any scheduled appointments.
If your condition does not improve after taking diazoxide for 2 to 3 weeks, stop
taking the medication and talk to your doctor.
Store diazoxide at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of diazoxide (oral)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about diazoxide (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about diazoxide (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of diazoxide (oral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
shortness of breath, swelling in your hands or feet;
-
rapid pulse;
-
fast or pounding heartbeats;
-
chest pain;
-
blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
urinating less than usual; or
-
feeling like you might pass out.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
temporary increase in growth of body hair (especially in women
and children;
-
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
-
diarrhea;
-
decreased sense of taste;
-
headache, dizziness, anxiety;
-
weakness; or
-
mild itching or skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about diazoxide (oral)?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to diazoxide or diuretics
(water pills). Oral diazoxide should not be used to treat occasional hypoglycemia related to diet.
Before taking diazoxide, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, kidney
disease, gout, high cholesterol, or low potassium.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to
make sure you get the best results from this medication.
If your blood sugar gets too high (hyperglycemia), you may have symptoms such as
increased thirst, loss of appetite, fruity breath odor, increased urination, drowsiness, dry skin,
nausea, and vomiting. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your
urine will need to be tested often for the presence of glucose (sugar) or ketones. You may be
able to do this testing at home. Call your doctor if you have any abnormal test result.
Your doctor may also want you to have blood or urine tests at regular intervals. Do
not miss any scheduled appointments.
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while you are taking diazoxide.
If your condition does not improve after taking diazoxide for 2 to 3 weeks, stop
taking the medication and talk to your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking diazoxide (oral)?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while you are taking diazoxide.
What other drugs will affect diazoxide (oral)?
The following drugs can interact with diazoxide. Tell your doctor if you have recently
taken any of these:
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
-
drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder,
such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin),
tamsulosin (Flomax).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with diazoxide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of diazoxide (oral)?