tolazamide

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

Yes

• Tolazamide is used with diet and exercise to reduce blood glucose levels in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Side effects associated with tolazamide therapy include:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Malaise
• Vertigo
• Increase sensitivity to the sunlight (photophobia),
• Itching
• Rash
• Hives
• Anorexia
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Sensations of stomach fullness
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Muscle weakness
• Water loss from the body (diuresis)

Possible serious side effects of tolazamide include:

• Disulfiram (Antabuse)-like reactions (for example, severe flushing accompanied by low blood pressure (hypotension) and tachycardia
• Low blood glucose
• Low blood sodium
• Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
• Blood disorders
• Liver dysfunction

Adults

• Generally, patients are started on 100 to 250 mg of tolazamide once daily with breakfast or first meal of the day.
• Start with 100 mg/day for fasting blood sugar <200 mg/dL or 250 mg for fasting blood sugar >200 mg/dL.
• Use 100 mg/day for patients who are malnourished, underweight, elderly, or those not eating properly.
• Dosage may be increased by 100-250 mg at weekly intervals.
• The maximum daily dose is 500 mg orally twice daily (1000mg/day).

The safety and efficacy of tolazamide has not been established in pediatric patients. No specific dose adjustments are recommended in patients with kidney or liver disease.

• Coadministration of tolazamide with quinolone antibiotics may cause abnormal changes in blood glucose. Therefore, blood glucose must be closely monitored if these agents must be used together.
• Tolazamide may increase blood levels of methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) by interfering with the binding of methotrexate to blood proteins.
• Anti-retroviral protease inhibitors, a type of anti-HIV medication, may decrease the effectiveness of tolazamide and consequently worsen blood glucose control.

What preparations of tolazamide-oral are available?

Oral tablets: 100, 250, and 500 mg

How should I keep tolazamide-oral stored?

Tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 15 C and 30 C (59 F to 86 F).