Proglycem (Diazoxide)

Proglycem (Diazoxide) is a medication used to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) caused by certain cancers or other conditions, including islet cell tumors, sulfonylurea, isulinoma, or congenital hyperinsulinism, that can make the pancreas release too much insulin. It can also be used as a vasodilator in the treatment of acute hypertension or malignant hypertension (high blood pressure). Proglycem raises blood sugar by preventing insulin release from the pancreas and increasing glucose release by the liver, helping to return the blood sugar to normal levels. Proglycem is a thiazide drug, but has no diuretic (water pill) effects like other thiazides. Proglycem also works to dilate blood vessels by acting on the smooth muscles of the heart, causing them to dilate and widen, allowing for easier blood flow and a reduction of hypertension symptoms.

Manufacturer Information

The common side effects of Proglycem include pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, fine hair growth on the face, arms, and back, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, or decreased sense of taste. Tell your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice more serious side effects such as:

• A light-headed feeling;
• Blurred vision;
• Breathing problems in an infant or newborn treated with Proglycem;
• Eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• Rapid weight gain;
• Shortness of breath;
• Signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia);
• Swelling;
• Tunnel vision

If you notice any severe side effects or signs of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention.

You should not take Proglycem if you are allergic to diazoxide, or to certain heart or blood pressure medications such as hydrochlorothiazide, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor HCT, Vaseretic, Zestoretic, and others. You should not use Pyroglycem, to treat occasional low blood sugar caused by diet. To make sure Proglycem is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney disease, gout, or low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia). It is unknown whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is unknown whether diazoxide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medication.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (such as a glucagon test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. Proglycem is approved for use in adults and children as young as infants. Proglycem may interact with some medications, especially a diuretic (water pill), a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), drugs for high blood pressure such as enalapril, methyldopa, or prazosin, and phenytoin. This is not a complete list of interactions, and other interactions may occur. Tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are currently taking or have recently taken in order to reduce the risk of any possible reactions.

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