What are the uses of diazoxide and chlorothiazide? What are the potential side effects of these medications? How should they be taken and who should avoid them? Get the answers to these questions and more.

The Therapeutic Uses of Diazoxide and Chlorothiazide

Diazoxide is a medication used to treat persistently low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) caused by the body producing too much insulin (hyperinsulinism). It works by blocking the release of insulin by the body. Chlorothiazide, on the other hand, is a diuretic that increases the amount of urine produced by the kidneys. It is commonly prescribed alongside diazoxide to help manage the fluid retention that can be a side effect of diazoxide.

Administering Diazoxide and Chlorothiazide

Diazoxide is typically given by mouth two or three times a day, while chlorothiazide is usually given twice a day. Both medications are available as liquid suspensions, which may be the preferred form for younger children. Older children may opt to take the medications in tablet or capsule form. It’s important to note that these suspensions are not readily available from local pharmacies and may take several days to obtain, as they need to be imported from abroad.

Potential Side Effects of Diazoxide

Diazoxide can cause a variety of side effects, including:

• Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
• Raised levels of uric acid in the blood, fluid retention, and puffiness (edema)
• High blood sugar levels
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular or fast heart rate
• Increased hair growth

If your child experiences any of these side effects, especially if they are severe or persistent, be sure to inform your doctor.

Potential Side Effects of Chlorothiazide

Chlorothiazide can also cause side effects, although they are generally milder than those associated with diazoxide. These include:

• Weakness and low blood pressure
• Mild upset stomach
• Changes in blood count

As with diazoxide, if your child experiences any concerning side effects, be sure to notify your doctor.

Interactions with Other Medications

Both diazoxide and chlorothiazide can interact with a variety of other medications, including:

• Anti-hypertension drugs (e.g., ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor agonists, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and some diuretics)
• Alcohol
• Anti-depressants
• Anti-epileptics (including phenytoin)
• Anti-psychotics
• Anti-diabetic medications
• Cholestyramine and colestipol resins
• Corticosteroids
• Lithium
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

It’s crucial to inform your doctor about any other medications your child is taking, including herbal or complementary medicines, to ensure proper monitoring and management of potential interactions.

Who Should Avoid Diazoxide and Chlorothiazide?

People with the following conditions should discuss taking these medications with their doctor:

• Hypersensitivity to diazoxide, chlorothiazide, or any of their ingredients
• Pregnant, could be pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• Existing heart or lung problems, such as pulmonary hypertension, meconium aspiration, respiratory distress, transient tachypnea, pneumonia, sepsis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or congenital heart disease

It’s important to carefully consider the risks and benefits of these medications, especially in the presence of other medical conditions.

Monitoring and Storage

If your child is taking diazoxide and/or chlorothiazide, it’s crucial to monitor for any signs of breathing difficulties, such as flaring nostrils, unusual chest movements, rapid breathing, feeding difficulties, or a blue tinge to the lips or skin. If any of these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention.

Both medications should be stored at room temperature, away from bright light, direct sunlight, and heat. It’s also important to keep them out of the reach of children.

Conclusion

Diazoxide and chlorothiazide are important medications used to manage persistent low blood sugar levels and fluid retention, respectively. While they can be effective, it’s crucial to be aware of their potential side effects and interactions with other medications. By working closely with your healthcare team and following the recommended guidelines for administration and storage, you can help ensure the safe and effective use of these medications for your child.

Diazoxide and chlorothiazide suspensions | Great Ormond Street Hospital

Diazoxide is used to treat persistently low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) caused by the body producing too much insulin (hyperinsulinism). Chlorothiazide is a diuretic, that is, a medicine that increases the amount of urine produced by the kidneys. This page from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) describes diazoxide and chlorothiazide, which are usually prescribed together. It explains how they are given and some of their side effects. Each person reacts differently to medicines so your child will not necessarily suffer every side effect mentioned.Diazoxide works by blocking the release of insulin by the body. Chlorothiazide is used in conditions where the body retains too much fluid, causing puffiness (oedema) especially around the eyes or affecting the hands or feet. Chlorothiazide is commonly prescribed alongside diazoxide, as a side effect of this medicine is fluid retention.

How are they given?

Diazoxide is given by mouth two or three times a day. Chlorothiazide is usually given twice a day.

Both are available as a suspension (liquid medicine). For guidance on how to give your child liquid medicines, please read our information sheet or watch our video podcast available on our websiteor the GOSH YouTube™ channel.

Diazoxide and chlorothiazide suspensions are not readily available from your community pharmacy. Neither medicine is available in the UK and so has to be imported from abroad by a licensed pharmaceutical import company. Supplies of these medicines may take longer than usual to obtain, usually several days.

Currently, the Pharmacy department at GOSH obtains diazoxide suspension under the brand name of Proglycem®. The packaging gives the strength of the medicine as 50mg of active ingredient in 1ml of suspension, which is equivalent to 250mg in 5ml. It also contains preservatives, colouring, flavourings and sweetener.

There have been incidents when the wrong strength of other types of medicine have been prescribed so please check the label before giving it your child. If you are given the wrong strength of diazoxide, please inform the team immediately and do not give to your child.

Chlorothiazide suspension is supplied at GOSH in the strength of 250mg of active ingredient in 5ml of suspension. It also contains preservatives, colouring, flavourings and sweetener.

Older children may prefer to take diazoxide and chlorothiazide in tablet or capsule form. Talk to your doctor about this.

Who should not take these medicines?

People with the following conditions should discuss taking these medicines with their doctor.

• Hypersensitivy to diazoxide, chlorothiazide or any of their ingredients
• Pregnant, could be pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding
• Existing heart or lung problems, such as pulmonary hypertension, meconium aspiration, respiratory distress, transient tachypnoea, pneumonia, sepsis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia or congenital heart disease.

What are the side effects?

Note: If your child shows any signs of breathing difficulties, such as flaring nostrils, unusual chest movements, rapid breathing, feeding difficulties or a blue tinge to their lips or skin, please see your doctor or take your child to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.

If any of the side effects described below are severe or carry on for a long time, please tell your doctor.

Diazoxide

• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
• Raised levels of uric acid in the blood, retention of salts and fluid, puffiness (oedema)
• High blood sugar levels
• Low blood pressure
• Irregular or fast heart rate
• Increased hair growth

Chlorothiazide

• Weakness and low blood pressure
• Mild upset stomach
• Changes in blood count

Interactions with other medicines

Some medicines can react with diazoxide and/or chlorothiazide, altering how well they work. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines, including herbal or complementary medicines. The following are known to react with diazoxide and/or chlorothiazide so your child will require regular careful monitoring.

Diazoxide

• Anti-hypertension medicines, including ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor agonists, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and some diuretics
• Alcohol
• Anti-depressants
• Anti-epileptics including phenytoin
• Anti-psychotics

Chlorothiazide

• Anti-diabetic medicines
• Anti-hypertension medicines as above
• Cholestyramine and colestipol resins
• Corticosteroids
• Lithium
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Important

• Keep medicines in a safe place where children cannot reach them
• Keep the suspension, tablets or capsules at room temperature, away from bright light or direct sunlight and away from heat. Do not store in a fridge.
• If you forget to give your child a dose and it is within a few hours of when the dose was due, give it as soon as you remember. Otherwise, do not give this dose but take the next dose when it is due. Do not give a double dose.
• If your child vomits straight after taking the dose, inform your local doctor or nurse, as your child may need to take another one
• If your doctor decides that your child should stop taking these medicines or they pass the expiry date, return any remaining suspension to your pharmacist. Do not flush it down the toilet or throw it away.

Compiled by:

The Pharmacy and Endocrinology departments in collaboration with the Child and Family Information Group Please read this information in conjunction with any patient information leaflet provided by the manufacturer.

Last review date:

July 2020

Ref:

2020F0376

Diazoxide | VCA Animal Hospitals

What is diazoxide?

Diazoxide (brand names: Proglycem®, Eudemine®, Glicemin®, Hypertonalum®, Proglicem®, Sefulken®, Tensuril®) is a medication used to treat low blood sugar in pets with an insulinoma (a tumor of insulin producing cells in the pancreas).

Its use in cats, dogs, ferrets, and other small mammals to treat low blood sugar due to an insulinoma is ‘off label’ or ‘extra label’. Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off label use in veterinary medicine. In these instances, follow your veterinarian’s directions and cautions very carefully as their directions may be significantly different from those on the label.

How is diazoxide given?

Diazoxide is given by mouth in the form of a liquid suspension or compounded capsule. Give with food. Shake liquids well before dosing. Measure liquid forms carefully.

This medication should take effect within 1 to 2 hours; however, effects may not be visibly obvious and therefore laboratory tests may need to be done to evaluate how well this medication is working.

What if I miss giving my pet the medication?

If you miss a dose, give it when you remember, but if it is close to the time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and give it at the next scheduled time, and return to the regular dosing schedule. Never give your pet two doses at once or give extra doses.

Are there any potential side effects?

The most common side effects include drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious side effects include a fast heartbeat, fever, bleeding, bruising, drinking and urinating more, prolonged lack of appetite, muscle weakness, severe vomiting, muscle twitches, seizures, or collapse. In ferrets, side effects include lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, and bone marrow abnormalities.

This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease.

Are there any risk factors for this medication?

Diazoxide should not be used in pets that are allergic to it or thiazide diuretics. Do not use in pets with low blood sugar due to anything other than a tumor. Diazoxide should be used cautiously in pets with heart or kidney disease and very cautiously in pregnant or nursing pets as safety has not been established.

Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of?

The following medications should be used with caution when given with diazoxide: alpha-adrenergic agents, glucocorticoids, hypotensive agents, phenothiazines, phenytoin, or thiazide diuretics.

Be sure to tell your veterinarian about any medications (including vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies) that your pet is taking.

Is

there any monitoring that needs to be done with this medication?

Blood sugar levels, blood cell counts, and physical examinations should be performed at regular intervals. Your veterinarian may monitor your pet to be sure that the medication is working. Monitor your pet at home for serious side effects.

How do I store diazoxide?

Store the capsules and liquid suspensions between 2°C and 30°C (36°F and 86°F) and protect from light and freezing. Do not use liquid suspensions that have darkened in color, as this may indicate that the medication is no longer effective.

What should I do in case of emergency?

If you suspect an overdose or an adverse reaction to the medication, call your veterinary office immediately. If they are not available, follow their directions in contacting an emergency facility.

Diazoxide – instructions for use

Diazoxide

Instruction:

• Pharmacological action
• Pharmacokinetics
• Readings
• Contraindications
• With care
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Dosage and Administration
• Side effects
• Overdose
• Interaction
• Special instructions
• Transport Management
• Classification

Pharmacological action

Diazoxide is a peripheral arteriolar vasodilator of myotropic action, has a rapid hypotensive (lowering blood pressure) effect due to peripheral vasodilation (expansion of the lumen of the vessels). Expands predominantly resistive vessels, activates potassium channels, causes the release of K ⁺ and hyperpolarization of the membrane of vascular smooth muscle cells, disrupts the function of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and reduces the entry of Ca ²⁺ into cells. When administered intravenously, it causes a rapid decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which is not accompanied by the phenomena of orthostatic hypotension. Leads to retention of Na ⁺ and water. It has a strong relaxing effect on the gastrointestinal tract and uterus. Reduces glomerular filtration and inhibits the excretion of uric acid in the tubules of the kidneys.

Pharmacokinetics

When administered intravenously, the maximum plasma concentration (C _max ) is reached after 2-5 hours.

Plasma protein binding is 90%.

Metabolized in the liver (up to 60%), excreted by the kidneys. The half-life is 2-28 hours.

Indications

Hypertensive crises, especially those associated with acute encephalopathy, acute glomerulonephritis and eclampsia.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to diazoxide;
• acute cerebrovascular accident;
• acute stage of myocardial infarction;
• functional hypoglycemia;
• period of childbirth;
• lactation.

Precautions

• Ischemic heart disease;
• angina;
• heart failure;
• diabetes mellitus;
• pregnancy.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use in pregnancy

FDA fetal category C.

Adequate and strictly controlled studies on the safety of the use of diazoxide during pregnancy have not been conducted. The potential risk to humans is unknown.

In experimental studies on animals, a decrease in the growth and survival of fetuses, an increase in the duration of labor was revealed.

The use of diazoxide during pregnancy is not recommended, except in cases of emergency, on the advice of a physician and if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the possible risk to the fetus.

Childbirth

Due to the pronounced relaxing effect, the introduction of diazoxide in the first stage of labor can lead to the termination of independent labor.

Use during breastfeeding

Special studies on the safety of the use of diazoxide during breastfeeding have not been conducted.

It is not known if diazoxide passes into breast milk.

If necessary, breast-feeding should be avoided.

Dosage and Administration

Intravenous bolus, undiluted, 1–3 mg/kg. The maximum single dose is 150 mg. If there is no effect, re-introduction at the same dose after 5-15 minutes.

Side effects

Headache, dizziness, redness of the skin, edema, hyperglycemia, severe arterial hypotension (up to collapse), the appearance of signs of ischemia of the heart or brain, confusion, allergic reactions.

Overdose

Symptoms

Hyperglycemia, which may be combined with ketoacidosis, as well as glucosuria.

Treatment

Insulin administration and fluid and electrolyte rebalancing. Due to the long half-life of the drug (approximately 30 hours), overdose symptoms require long-term observation (up to 7 days) until the blood glucose concentration returns to normal. Successful reduction of blood diazoxide concentrations has been reported with peritoneal dialysis in one patient and hemodialysis in another.

Interactions

• Diuretics (diuretics) – the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of diazoxide may be enhanced by the simultaneous administration of thiazides or other commonly used diuretics;
• Anticoagulants (drugs that prevent blood clots) coumarin derivatives – the use of diazoxide in patients taking coumarin and its derivatives may lead to increased anticoagulant action and require a reduction in the dose of anticoagulant;
• Diphenylhydantoin (epilepsy medicine) – administration of diazoxide to patients taking diphenylhydantoin may cause loss of control of seizures;
• Chlorpromazine (antipsychotic drug) – the hyperglycemic effect of diazoxide may be enhanced by concomitant use of chlorpromazine;
• Insulin (blood glucose lowering drug) blocks the hyperglycemic action of diazoxide. In addition, diazoxide, by inhibiting glucagon-induced insulin release, may cause a false-negative glucagon test;
• alpha-blockers (expand blood vessels and reduce their tone, most often used in the treatment of arterial hypertension and prostate adenoma) – reduce the severity of the hyperglycemic action of diazoxide;
• Antihypertensive drugs (drugs that lower blood pressure) – Diazoxide may increase the effect of antihypertensive drugs.

Special instructions

Diabetes mellitus requires correction of hypoglycemic therapy.

Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and control mechanisms

It is recommended to refrain from driving and engaging in activities that require increased concentration and speed of psychomotor reactions.

Classification

• ATX

  C02DA01, V03AH01

• Pharmacological group

  Vasodilators

• ICD code 10

  I10 Essential (primary) hypertension

• FDA pregnancy category

  C
  (risk not excluded)

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Find out more about the active substance Diazoxide:

• INN
• Reviews
• Questions
• Latin name
• Chemical formula

Information about the active substance Diazoxide is intended for medical and pharmaceutical professionals, for reference purposes only. The instructions are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information contained here may change over time. The most accurate information on the use of drugs containing the active substance Diazoxide is contained in the manufacturer’s instructions attached to the package.

Diazoxide – Cardiologist – a site about diseases of the heart and blood vessels

Pharmacological action

Diazoxide is a peripheral vasodilator. Expands predominantly resistive vessels (arterioles), reducing peripheral vascular resistance, has no effect on capacitive vessels (veins). According to the mechanism of action, it belongs to the group of potassium channel activators. The opening of potassium channels causes the release of potassium ions and hyperpolarization of the membrane of vascular smooth muscle cells, which disrupts the function of voltage-dependent calcium channels and reduces the entry of calcium ions into the cells.

Intravenous administration of the drug to patients with arterial hypertension causes a rapid drop in systolic and diastolic pressure, an increase in cardiac output and tachycardia. Orthostatic hypotension does not develop. The maximum hypotensive effect occurs 2-5 minutes after intravenous administration of the drug and lasts 2-12 hours, in most cases – 3 hours. Diazoxide causes sodium and water retention in the body, reduces the glomerular filtration rate and excretion of uric acid in the tubules. Edema may occur in patients with heart failure. Diazoxide is a strong uterine relaxant. As a result of inhibition of the release of insulin from the pancreas, diazoxide can cause a hyperglycemic effect.

Pharmacokinetics

Plasma diazoxide is highly protein bound (90%), so intravenous administration must be rapid. The hypotensive effect depends on the dose administered intravenously. About 60% of diazoxide is metabolized, the rest is excreted in the urine in an unchanged state. T _1/2 – 28 hours

Indications

Hypertensive crises, especially those associated with acute encephalopathy, acute glomerulonephritis and eclampsia.

Dosing mode

Intravenous bolus: at a dose of 1 to 3 mg/kg of body weight over 30 seconds, the maximum single dose should not exceed 150 mg.

Intravenous infusion: 10-30 mg/min up to a total dose of 5 mg/kg or reduction in blood pressure, if necessary, repeat the infusion after 4-24 hours.

Avoid getting the drug into the subcutaneous tissues. Urgent therapy of hypertensive conditions should be limited to a few days with the fastest possible transition to oral antihypertensive drugs.

Side effects

Headache, dizziness, skin flushing, Na+ and water retention in the body, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, decreased blood pressure, collapse, tachycardia, ischemia of the heart and/or brain, confusion, allergic reactions.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, compensatory hypertension, disorders of cerebral and coronary circulation.

Special instructions

Rarely used due to unpredictable decrease in blood pressure.

Causes hyperglycemia by suppressing insulin secretion and reducing glucose utilization by tissues. In diabetes mellitus, correction of hypoglycemic therapy is required.

May cause cerebral and myocardial ischemia.

Repeated administration causes significant sodium and water retention.

Used by mouth for chronic hypoglycemia due to insulin-secreting tumors.

When administered intravenously, treatment is continued for no more than 10 days.

Due to the pronounced relaxing effect, the introduction of diazoxide in the first stage of labor can lead to the termination of independent labor.

Drug interactions

Use with caution in patients taking hydralazine, papaverine-like substances, methyldopa or reserpine and other rauwolfia derivatives. Concurrent administration of diazoxide and diuretics, especially thiazides, may enhance the hyperglycemic, hyperuremic and hypotensive effects of the drug.