Diazoxide

Diazoxide oral suspension is indicated for the management of hypoglycemia due to hyperinsulinism associated with the following conditions: Adults: Inoperable islet cell adenoma or carcinoma, or extrapancreatic malignancy. Infants and children: Leucine sensitivity, islet cell hyperplasia, nesidioblastosis, extrapancreatic malignancy, islet cell adenoma, or adenomatosis. Diazoxide oral suspension may be used preoperatively as a temporary measure, and postoperatively, if hypoglycemia persists. Diazoxide oral suspension should be used only after a diagnosis of hypoglycemia due to one of the above conditions has been definitely established. When other specific medical therapy or surgical management either has been unsuccessful or is not feasible, treatment with diazoxide oral suspension should be considered.

Diazoxide oral suspension is contraindicated in patients with: Functional hypoglycemia Hypersensitivity to diazoxide, any of the excipients in diazoxide oral suspension, or other thiazides

The antidiuretic property of diazoxide may lead to significant fluid retention. In patients with compromised cardiac reserve, fluid retention may precipitate congestive heart failure. If fluid retention develops, manage according to standards of care. Co-administration of diazoxide oral suspension with thiazides may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic actions of diazoxide (see DRUG INTERACTIONS and ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY AND/OR TOXICOLOGY ). Ketoacidosis and nonketotic hyperosmolar coma have been reported in patients treated with diazoxide oral suspension, usually during intercurrent illness. Prompt recognition and treatment are essential (see OVERDOSAGE), and prolonged surveillance following the acute episode is necessary because of the long drug half-life of approximately 30 hours. Advise patients to monitor urine glucose and ketones and to promptly report abnormal findings and symptoms of ketoacidosis to their healthcare provider. Transient cataracts occurred in association with hyperosmolar coma in an infant, and subsided on correction of the hyper-osmolarity. Cataracts have been observed in several animals receiving daily dosages of intravenous or oral diazoxide. The development of abnormal facial features in four children treated chronically (>4 years) with diazoxide oral suspension for hypoglycemia hyperinsulinism in the same clinic has been reported. Pulmonary Hypertension in Neonates and Infants There have been postmarketing reports of pulmonary hypertension occurring in infants and neonates treated with diazoxide. The cases were reversible upon discontinuation of diazoxide. Monitor patients, especially those with risk factors for pulmonary hypertension, for respiratory distress and discontinue diazoxide oral suspension if pulmonary hypertension is suspected.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS Treatment with diazoxide oral suspension should be initiated under close clinical supervision, with careful monitoring of blood glucose and clinical response until the patient’s condition has stabilized. This usually requires several days. If not effective in 2 to 3 weeks, discontinue diazoxide oral suspension. Prolonged treatment requires regular monitoring of urine glucose and ketones, especially under stress conditions. Advise patients to promptly report any abnormalities to their healthcare provider. Periodically monitor blood glucose to determine the need for dosage adjustment. Consider the effects of diazoxide oral suspension on the hematopoietic system and the level of serum uric acid; the latter should be considered particularly in patients with hyperuricemia or a history of gout. Since the plasma half-life of diazoxide is prolonged in patients with impaired renal function, a reduced dosage should be considered. Serum electrolyte levels should also be evaluated for such patients. The antihypertensive effect of other drugs may be enhanced by diazoxide oral suspension and this should be kept in mind when administering it concomitantly with antihypertensive agents. Because of the protein binding, administration of diazoxide oral suspension with coumarin anticoagulants or its derivatives may require reduction in the dosage of the anticoagulant, although there has been no reported evidence of excessive anticoagulant effect. In addition, diazoxide may displace bilirubin from albumin; consider this when treating newborns with increased bilirubinemia. Pulmonary hypertension has been reported in neonates and young infants treated with diazoxide. (see WARNINGS ). INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS Advise patients of the need for periodic laboratory testing during treatment with diazoxide oral suspension. In addition, advise patients to: take diazoxide oral suspension on a regular schedule as prescribed, not to skip doses, not to take extra doses consult their healthcare provider before starting any new medications not allow anyone else to take this medication follow dietary instructions report any adverse reactions (i.e., increased urinary frequency, increased thirst, fruity breath odor) promptly to their healthcare provider report pregnancy or to discuss plans for pregnancy with their healthcare provider LABORATORY TESTS Consider monitoring the following laboratory tests during treatment with diazoxide oral suspension (not all inclusive): blood glucose (recommended at periodic intervals in patients taking diazoxide orally for treatment of hypoglycemia, until stabilized) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine clearance hematocrit, platelet count, total and differential leukocyte counts serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum uric acid level urine testing for glucose and ketones DRUG INTERACTIONS Since diazoxide is highly bound to serum proteins, it may displace other substances which are also bound to protein, such as bilirubin or coumarin and its derivatives, resulting in higher blood levels of these substances. Concomitant administration of diazoxide oral suspension and diphenylhydantoin may result in a loss of seizure control. Consider these potential interactions when administering diazoxide oral suspension. The concomitant administration of thiazides or other diuretics may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of diazoxide. DRUG & OR LABORATORY TEST INTERACTIONS The hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of diazoxide preclude proper assessment of these metabolic states. Increased renin secretion, IgG concentrations and decreased cortisol secretions have also been noted. Diazoxide inhibits glucagon-stimulated insulin release and causes a false-negative insulin response to glucagon. CARCINOGENESIS & MUTAGENESIS & IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY No long-term animal dosing study has been done to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of diazoxide. No laboratory study of mutagenic potential or animal study of effects on fertility has been done. Reproduction studies using the oral preparation in rats have revealed increased fetal resorptions and delayed parturition, as well as fetal skeletal anomalies; evidence of skeletal and cardiac teratogenic effects in rabbits has been noted with intravenous administration. Diazoxide has also been demonstrated to cross the placental barrier in animals and to cause degeneration of the fetal pancreatic beta cells (see ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY AND/OR TOXICOLOGY ). Since there are no adequate data on fetal effects of this drug when given to pregnant women, safety in pregnancy has not been established. When the use of diazoxide oral suspension is considered, the indications should be limited to those specified above for adults (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ), and the potential benefits to the mother must be weighed against possible harmful effects to the fetus. Non-teratogenic Effects Diazoxide crosses the placental barrier and appears in cord blood. When given to the mother prior to delivery of the infant, diazoxide may produce fetal or neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, thrombocytopenia, altered carbohydrate metabolism, and possibly other side effects that have occurred in adults. Alopecia and hypertrichosis lanuginosa have occurred in infants whose mothers received oral diazoxide during the last 19 to 60 days of pregnancy. LABOR & DELIVERY Since intravenous administration of diazoxide during labor may cause cessation of uterine contractions, and administration of oxytocic agents may be required to reinstate labor, caution is advised in administering diazoxide at that time. NURSING MOTHERS Information is not available concerning the passage of diazoxide in breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions from diazoxide in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue diazoxide oral suspension, taking into account the importance of the use of diazoxide oral suspension in the mother. PEDIATRIC USE See INDICATIONS AND USAGE.

Frequent and Serious : Sodium and fluid retention is most common in young infants and in adults and may precipitate congestive heart failure in patients with compromised cardiac reserve. (see DRUG INTERACTIONS ). Infrequent but Serious : Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar nonketotic coma may develop very rapidly. Monitor patients for up to 7 days due to the long half-life of diazoxide (see OVERDOSAGE ). Other frequent adverse reactions : Hirsutism of the lanugo type, mainly on the forehead, back and limbs, occurs most commonly in children and women and may be cosmetically unacceptable. It subsides on discontinuation of diazoxide oral suspension. Hyperglycemia or glycosuria may require reduction in dosage in order to avoid progression to ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar coma. Gastrointestinal intolerance may include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, ileus, diarrhea, transient loss of taste. Tachycardia, palpitations, increased levels of serum uric acid are common. Thrombocytopenia with or without purpura may require discontinuation of diazoxide oral suspension. Neutropenia is transient, is not associated with increased susceptibility to infection, and ordinarily does not require discontinuation of diazoxide oral suspension. Skin rash, headache, weakness, and malaise may also occur. Other adverse reactions : Cardiovascular : Hypotension occurs occasionally, which may be augmented by thiazide diuretics given concurrently. A few cases of transient hypertension, for which no explanation is apparent, have been noted. Chest pain has been reported rarely. Pulmonary hypertension has been reported in neonates and young infants (see WARNINGS ). There have been postmarketing reports of pericardial effusion in patients without structural heart disease; the majority of cases occurred in pediatric patients and infants. Gastrointestinal : There have been postmarketing reports of necrotizing enterocolitis; the majority of cases occurred in infants with underlying co-morbid conditions. Hematologic : eosinophilia; decreased hemoglobin / hematocrit; excessive bleeding, decreased IgG. Hepato-renal : increased AST, alkaline phosphatase; azotemia, decreased creatinine clearance, reversible nephrotic syndrome, decreased urinary output, hematuria, albuminuria. Neurologic: anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, polyneuritis, paresthesia, pruritus, extrapyramidal signs. Ophthalmologic : transient cataracts, subconjunctival hemorrhage, ring scotoma, blurred vision, diplopia, lacrimation. Skeletal, integumentary; monilial dermatitis, herpes, advance in bone age; loss of scalp hair. Systemic: fever, lymphadenopathy. Other; gout acute pancreatitis/pancreatic necrosis, galactorrhea, enlargement of lump in breast.

Since diazoxide is highly bound to serum proteins, it may displace other substances which are also bound to protein, such as bilirubin or coumarin and its derivatives, resulting in higher blood levels of these substances. Concomitant administration of diazoxide oral suspension and diphenylhydantoin may result in a loss of seizure control. Consider these potential interactions when administering diazoxide oral suspension. The concomitant administration of thiazides or other diuretics may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of diazoxide.

Information is not available concerning the passage of diazoxide in breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions from diazoxide in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue diazoxide oral suspension, taking into account the importance of the use of diazoxide oral suspension in the mother.

See INDICATIONS AND USAGE.