Eudaxen

Used as a diuretic, Diazoxide blocks active chloride reabsorption at the early distal tubule through the Na-Cl cotransporter. So more sodium, chloride and water leave the body in the urine. Like other thiazides, it also blocks sodium ion transport across the renal tubular epithelium by binding to the thiazide sensitive sodium-chloride transporter, and this raises potassium excretion through the sodium-potassium exchange mechanism. How it lowers blood pressure is less well understood. It may act on carbonic anhydrases in the smooth muscle, or on the large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channel, which is also found in the smooth muscle. As an antihypoglycemic, it stops the pancreas from releasing insulin, probably by opening potassium channels in the beta cell membrane.

Pharmacodynamics

Diazoxide is a potassium channel activator. It works by making the cell membrane more permeable to potassium ions, and this relaxes local smooth muscles. It also switches off voltage-gated calcium ion channels, which stops an action potential from being generated.

Pregnancy: In reproduction studies, rats given the oral preparation of Diazoxide showed increased fetal resorptions, delayed parturition and skeletal anomalies in the fetuses. In rabbits, intravenous use produced skeletal and cardiac teratogenic effects. The drug has also been shown to cross the placental barrier in animals and to cause degeneration of the fetal pancreatic beta cells. There are no adequate data on its effects on the fetus when it is given to pregnant women, so safety in pregnancy has not been established. If Diazoxide is being considered, use should be limited to the indications for adults specified above, and the possible benefit to the mother must be weighed against the possible harm to the fetus. Diazoxide Tablets should be used in pregnant women only when the condition being treated is judged to put the mother's life at risk. Prolonged oral treatment during pregnancy has been reported to cause alopecia in the newborn.

Nursing mothers: There is no information on whether Diazoxide passes into breast milk. Many drugs are excreted in human milk, and Diazoxide could cause adverse reactions in nursing infants. So a decision should be made either to stop nursing or to stop the drug, taking into account how important the drug is to the mother.

Taking too much Diazoxide can cause hyperglycaemia. If it is severe, insulin can bring the blood sugar down, while milder cases may respond to oral hypoglycaemics. Low blood pressure (hypotension) can be managed with intravenous fluids, and in severe cases sympathomimetics may be needed.

Keep Diazoxide below 30°C, in its original container so moisture can't get to it. Also keep it out of the sight and reach of children.