diazoxide

Last reviewed 01/2018

Diazoxide is a potassium channel opener which causes hyperpolarisation and inhibits depolarisation.

It acts:

  • as a vasodilator, and can be used in acute severe hypertension
  • to reduce insulin secretion by the pancreas, and so is used in hypoglycaemia secondary to hyperinsulinism in nesidioblastosis or islet cell tumours