What is Diazoxide?
Diazoxide is an antihypertensive medication used to treat high blood pressure in emergency situations and as a short-term management of severe hypertension. It belongs to the class of drugs known as vasodilators, which work by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing peripheral resistance. Diazoxide can also be used for other purposes such as managing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in newborns and suppressing premature labor.
What is Diazoxide used for?
Diazoxide is an antihypertensive medication that belongs to the class of thiazide-like diuretics. It was first introduced in the 1960s as an orally active analog of chlorothiazide, a well-known diuretic at the time. Diazoxide works by inhibiting the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct of the kidneys, leading to increased excretion of water, sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium.
The therapeutic use of diazoxide is primarily as a rapid-acting antihypertensive agent, particularly for short-term management of severe hypertension. It has been used in emergency situations such as hypertensive crises, eclampsia during pregnancy, and acute hypertensive emergencies. Diazoxide can also cause vasodilation by relaxing vascular smooth muscle cells, contributing to its blood pressure-lowering effect.
Diazoxide is supplied as a white or practically colorless crystalline powder, odorless or almost odorless when stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container protected from moisture.
Diazoxide side effects
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hiccups
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
- Tingling sensation (paresthesia)
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
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