• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is diazoxide?
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.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of diazoxide?

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.

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How should I take diazoxide?
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.

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What is the most important information I should know about oral diazoxide?
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.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
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.

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What other drugs will affect diazoxide?
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.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Diazoxide has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. It is not indicated for use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown evidence of reduced fetal growth and fetal and/or pup survival in addition to prolonged parturition. There are no adequate or controlled data from human pregnancy studies. Diazoxide should only be used during pregnancy when need has been clearly established. If given during labor, diazoxide may stop uterine contractions, requiring use of an oxytocic agent.

There are no data on the excretion of diazoxide into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• IV and oral: Hypersensitivity to the drug, other thiazide derivatives, or other sulfonamide-derived agents.
• IV: Compensatory hypertension, such as that associated with aortic coarctation or arteriovenous shunt.
• Oral: Functional hypoglycemia.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include increased thirst or urination, fruity breath odor, nausea, and vomiting, or feeling like you might pass out.

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What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving diazoxide?
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.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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