DBL Diazoxide (Diazoxide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is DBL Diazoxide Used For?
DBL Diazoxide Injection contains diazoxide and belongs to a group of medicines called vasodilators. It is used in hospital settings for emergency blood pressure management.
Primary Uses
DBL Diazoxide is used to quickly lower very high blood pressure in emergency situations and to prevent bleeding during diagnostic procedures if you have high blood pressure.
How It Works
It works by widening blood vessels, which causes a decrease in blood pressure.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive.
How DBL Diazoxide Is Given
DBL Diazoxide is given as an injection into a vein and must only be administered by a nurse or doctor in a hospital setting.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition and other factors, such as your weight. The injection is given intravenously and must only be given by a nurse or doctor.
Important: Stay lying down for at least 30 minutes after receiving this medicine as you may feel light-headed or dizzy.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- swelling of the hands, feet or ankles
- weight gain
- flushing
- feeling of warmth
- burning or itching
- headache
- sweating
- weakness
- pain along the vein where the injection was given
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal discomfort
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- signs of high blood sugar levels such as lethargy or tiredness, headache, thirst, passing large amounts of urine, blurred vision
- signs of heart problems such as shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing while lying down, chest pain or fullness, swelling of the feet or legs due to fluid build-up
- dizziness, light-headedness or fainting which may be due to very low blood pressure
- signs of an allergic reaction such as wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, itching or hives on the skin
- signs of severe inflammation of the bowel such as intolerance to food, abdominal bloating, pain, swelling or discomfort, bloody stool, diarrhoea, constipation
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before receiving DBL Diazoxide. Make sure your healthcare team knows about all your medical conditions.
Who Should Not Take DBL Diazoxide
Do not receive DBL Diazoxide if you are allergic to diazoxide or any ingredients, allergic to other thiazides such as hydrochlorothiazide, or have hypertension due to mechanical abnormalities of the heart (such as an AV shunt).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, diabetes, circulation problems, gout, leucopenia (low numbers of white blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (low numbers of platelets).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits involved. Tell your doctor straight away if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with DBL Diazoxide and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- diuretics (fluid tablets)
- other medications used to treat high blood pressure
Alcohol & Driving
DBL Diazoxide may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and can interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are receiving this medicine. If you drink alcohol, symptoms such as dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how diazoxide affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness or tiredness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous. Children should be careful when riding bicycles or climbing trees.
Storage
DBL Diazoxide Injection will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, protected from light, where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Overdose Information
As DBL Diazoxide Injection is given to you under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive an overdose. Symptoms of an overdose may include the side effects listed, but are usually of a more severe nature. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must stay lying down for at least 30 minutes after receiving this medicine as you may feel light-headed or dizzy.
No, this medicine is not addictive.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while receiving this medicine. If you drink alcohol, symptoms such as dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
DBL Diazoxide is used to quickly lower very high blood pressure in emergency situations, though the exact timing is not specified in the medication information.
Remind any doctor, nurse, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are being given DBL Diazoxide Injection.
Your doctor may do some tests, such as glucose monitoring tests, from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how diazoxide affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness or tiredness, so do not drive if you experience these symptoms.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.