• Basic Info
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What is tolazamide?
Tolazamide is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. This medication helps your body respond better to insulin produced by your pancreas. Tolazamide is used together with diet and exercise to treat type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. Other diabetes medicines are sometimes used in combination with tolazamide if needed. Tolazamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of tolazamide?

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.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of tolazamide. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, trouble concentrating, confusion, or seizure (convulsions). Watch for signs of low blood sugar. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling like you might pass out;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

• extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness or weakness;

• headache, tired feeling;

• mild nausea, heartburn, full feeling;

• skin rash, redness, or itching; or

• increased skin sensitivity to sunlight.

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 tolazamide?
Take tolazamide exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your dose needs may change if you are ill, if you have a fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Do not change your dose of tolazamide without first talking to your doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Tolazamide is usually taken once a day, with breakfast or the first main meal of the day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

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What is the most important information I should know about tolazamide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tolazamide, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment with insulin. Before taking tolazamide, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, or a history of heart disease. Take care to keep your blood sugar from getting too low, causing hypoglycemia. Symptoms of low blood sugar may include headache, nausea, hunger, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, or trouble concentrating. Carry a piece of non-dietetic hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar. Also be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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What other drugs will affect tolazamide?
You may be more likely to have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) if you are taking tolazamide with other drugs that raise blood sugar. Drugs that can raise blood sugar include: isoniazid; diuretics (water pills); steroids (prednisone and others); phenothiazines (Compazine and others); thyroid medicine (Synthroid and others); birth control pills and other hormones; seizure medicines (Dilantin and others); diet pills; and medicines to treat asthma, colds or allergies. You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking tolazamide with other drugs that lower blood sugar. Drugs that can lower blood sugar include:

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

Tolazamide has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryolethality at doses 10 times the human dose. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Tolazamide is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

Prolonged severe hypoglycemia (four to ten days) has been reported in neonates born to mothers who were receiving a sulfonylurea drug at the time of delivery. This is reported more frequently in agents with prolonged half-lives. If tolazamide is used during pregnancy, it should be discontinued at least two weeks before the expected delivery.

There are no data on the excretion of tolazamide into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that a decision be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue tolazamide, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of tolazamide can cause severe hypoglycemia. Symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include extreme weakness, blurred vision, sweating, trouble speaking, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

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What should I discuss with my doctor before taking tolazamide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tolazamide, or if you are in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis. Call your doctor for treatment with insulin. Before taking tolazamide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: liver disease; kidney disease; or a history of heart disease. If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take tolazamide. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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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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