This medication is used to treat low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) caused by certain conditions in which too much of a certain natural substance (insulin) is produced. Too much insulin can cause low blood sugar. This drug works by preventing insulin release from the pancreas, helping to return the blood sugar to normal levels. Diazoxide is a thiazide drug, but has no diuretic ("water-pill") effects like other thiazides.

Shake bottle well before each use. Take this medication by mouth, usually 2 to 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Use the dropper provided to measure each dose. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

Dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to treatment. Your doctor may direct you to follow a special diet for your condition. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or dietician for more details.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after 3 weeks.

Increased hair growth on the head/back/arms/legs, changes in taste, loss of appetite, stomach upset, diarrhea, headache, and tiredness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: swelling of arms/legs, fainting, fast heartbeat, vision changes, face/muscle twitching, joint pain, need to urinate more often, unusual thirst, fruity breath odor, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, unusual restlessness, muscle stiffness, shaking, easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), unexplained weight gain.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking diazoxide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other thiazides (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide); or to alcohol, propylene glycol, chocolate, or mint; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: low blood sugar levels due to poor diet (functional hypoglycemia).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: mineral imbalance (low potassium blood levels), diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, gout, liver disease, high blood pressure, blood vessel conditions (cerebral insufficiency, aortic aneurysm, arteriovenous shunt).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. If you become pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Infants born to mothers who took diazoxide while pregnant should be observed for: yellowing skin, easy bruising/bleeding, persistent vomiting.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs for high blood pressure (e.g., enalapril), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), estrogen-progesterone combinations (e.g., certain birth control pills, certain hormone replacement therapy drugs), phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine), phenytoin, sulfonylureas (e.g., tolbutamide), "water pills" (e.g., thiazide diuretics).

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: need to urinate more often, unusual thirst, fruity breath odor.

Do not share this medication with others.

For best results, this medication should be used along with a doctor-approved diet plan. Consult your doctor for more details.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood glucose levels, urine dipsticks) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. This is especially important during times of stress since a dosage adjustment may be needed. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Store this drug in its carton until contents are used. The suspension will darken if exposed to light. Discard this drug if it darkens.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised October 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.