What is Diazoxide?
Diazoxide increases blood sugar levels by slowing the release of insulin from the pancreas.
Diazoxide is a medication used to treat blood sugar levels that are low (hypoglycemia) due to certain cancers and other diseases that cause the pancreas to release excessive insulin. Diazoxide is recommended for adulthood and in children from the age of infants.
Diazoxide can also be employed for other purposes that are not covered in this guide to medication.
Side effects of Diazoxide
See a doctor immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms or warning signs of an allergic response, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, tongue, throat, or face.
Diazoxide can cause serious adverse side effects. Consult your physician immediately in the event of:
- Blurred vision blurred vision, pain, or seeing a lot of light sources;
- Breathing issues in infants or newborns who are treated with diazoxide
- Breathlessness (even at moderate exertion) and swelling rapidly, gaining weight;
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're about to pass out or
- Symptoms of high levels of blood sugar (hyperglycemia) like more thirst, more frequent intake of urine, a hungry mouth, a fruity breath smell, the appearance of dry, wet skin, and weight loss
Common negative side effects of diazoxide can be:
- Beats of your heart or the sound of a fluttering your chest
- Swelling in your ankles, hands, or feet;
- Small hair growth on the arms, face, and back (especially for children or women);
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, and loss of appetite.
- Diarrhea, constipation, or
- Diminished perception of flavor.
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be experienced. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Related drugs
Hydralazine, enalapril, labetalol, apresoline, glucagon, dopamethyl, and Vasotec
Warnings
Diazoxide should not be used to treat the occasional low blood sugar due to the diet.
Before you take this drug
It is not recommended to use this medicine if you are sensitive to diazoxide, certain blood pressure or heart medicines like hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), hydrodiuril, Hyzaar Lopressor HCT, Vaseretic, Zestoretic, and many more.
Diazoxide is not a suitable medication to treat the occasional low blood sugar due to eating habits.
To ensure diazoxide is appropriate for you, consult your doctor if you suffer from:
- Congestive heart failure;
- Hypertension;
- Kidney disease
- Gout Or
- Low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia)
It isn't known if this medication will affect a newborn baby. Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.
It is unclear if diazoxide can be found in breast milk or the risk to the nursing infant. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication.
How to take Diazoxide?
Follow the instructions on the prescription label. Your doctor might alter the dose of diazoxide to ensure you receive the most effective outcomes. Avoid taking diazoxide in greater or lesser quantities or for a longer period than is recommended.
Mix the suspension (liquid) well prior to taking the dose. Take measurements of liquid medication using the dosing syringe that comes with it, a dosing spoon, or a medicine cup. If you don't have an instrument to measure doses, you can ask your pharmacist for one.
Diazoxide is typically used every 8–12 hours. It is recommended to take the medication at regular times each day.
Diazoxide typically begins working within 1 hour, and its effects last for up to 8 hours.
The blood sugar level in your body will have to be regularly checked. Your urine could also require testing for ketones. You should contact your doctor at any time if you notice any unusual results on your tests. You may need other blood tests in the office of your doctor.
Diazoxide is just one component of a treatment plan, which may also comprise a diet. Follow the instructions of your physician precisely.
Don't share this medication with anyone else, even if they suffer from similar symptoms to yours.
Keep at room temperature, free of heat, moisture, and light.
If your health condition does not improve after taking diazoxide for two to three weeks, you should stop taking diazoxide and consult your doctor.
Detail on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypoglycemia:
Initial dose: 3 mg/kg every day, divided into three equal doses every eight hours.
The usual dosage is 3 to 8 mg/kg orally, split into three or two equal doses every 8 or 12 hours.
Comments:
Only use it after a definitive diagnosis of hypoglycemia resulting from one of the conditions listed.
Only use it if a particular treatment or surgery is not working or isn't feasible.
Be sure to monitor patients carefully throughout the process of treatment.
Carefully monitor the clinical response as well as the blood sugar up to the time that the patient is stable, generally over several days.
If there is no improvement after a period of two to three weeks of usage,
Individualize dosage in accordance with laboratory and clinical results, using the smallest amount of medication.
The use of this medication is: Hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinism caused by inoperable islet cell tumors, cancer, or extrapancreatic malignancy
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypoglycemia:
Newborns and infants:
The dose of 10 mg/kg/day is divided into 3 equal doses every 8 hours.
Usual dosage of between 8 and 15 mg/kg/day, divided into three or two equal doses every 8 or 12 hours
Children:
Initial dosage: 3 mg/kg per day, divided into three equal doses every eight hours.
The usual dosage is 3 to 8 mg/kg orally, split into three or two equal doses every 8 or 12 hours.
Comments:
Only use it after a definitive diagnosis of hypoglycemia due to one of the conditions listed.
Use only when a specific medical treatment or surgical management has not worked or isn't feasible.
Watch patients closely throughout the process of treatment.
Be attentive to the patient's response and blood sugar levels until the patient is stable, generally over several days.
If there is no improvement within two or three weeks of usage,
Individualize dosage according to laboratory and clinical results, using the lowest amount of medication.
Use special care to ensure the correct dosage for infants and children.
Uses:
Hyperinsulinism causes hyperhypoglycemia, which is caused by leucine sensitivity, islet cell hyperplasia, and nesidioblastosis. extrapancreatic malignancy, islet cell adenoma, or adenomatosis
Preoperatively, it can be used to treat a short-term problem or postoperatively in the event that hypoglycemia continues to persist.
Do the dose you missed as soon as you can remember. Avoid any missed doses if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don't take any extra medication to make up for the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help Line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
Some symptoms of overdose include extreme thirst, dry mouth, fruity nausea and vomiting, a higher frequency of urine output, confusion, and ketones in the urine that are high.
What should be avoided?
Do not take other medicines unless your doctor has told you to.
Interaction with other drugs
Discuss with your physician your current medications and any new medications you begin or stop taking, particularly:
- Diuretic (water pill) (water pill)
- A blood thinner like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
This list is not comprehensive. Other medications can be incompatible with diazoxide, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions that are not included in this guideline for medication.
