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- $Unique_ID{BRK03356}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{tolazamide}
- $Subject{Tolinase Upjohn Oral antidiabetic tolazamide diabetes mellitus sugar
- adulthood non-insulin-dependent maturity-onset Type II insulin}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- tolazamide
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- tolazamide (various manufacturers)
- Tolinase (Upjohn)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Oral antidiabetic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- tolazamide
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (100 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
- container. Discard any outdated medication.
-
- USES
-
- Tolazamide is used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (sugar
- diabetes) that appears in adulthood and cannot be managed by control of diet
- alone. This type of diabetes is known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes (also
- called maturity-onset or Type II diabetes). Tolazamide lowers the blood sugar
- level by increasing the release of insulin.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order for this medication to work correctly, it must be taken as
- directed by your doctor. It is best to take this medicine at the same time
- each day in order to maintain a constant blood sugar level. It is, therefore,
- important to try not to miss any doses of tolazamide. If you do miss a dose,
- take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In
- that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular
- dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. Tell your doctor if you feel
- any side effects from missing a dose of this drug.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Diarrhea, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach
- discomfort, stomach pain, or vomiting. These side effects usually disappear
- as your body adjusts to the drug.
- Tolazamide may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. You should,
- therefore, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective
- clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- dark urine, fatigue, itching of the skin, light-colored stools, sore throat
- and fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Tolazamide interacts with several other types of drugs:
- 1. Chloramphenicol, guanethidine, fenfluramine, sulfinpyrazone, insulin,
- monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, oxyphenbutazone, oxytetracycline,
- phenylbutazone, pro-benecid, aspirin or other salicylates, and sulfonamide
- antibiotics, when combined with tolazamide, can lower blood sugar
- levels--sometimes to dangerously low levels. At least 14 days should separate
- the use of this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
- 2. Thyroid hormones, dextrothyroxine, epinephrine, phenytoin, thiazide
- diuretics (water pills), and cortisone-like medications (such as
- dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and prednisone), combined with tolazamide, can
- actually increase blood sugar levels--just what you are trying to avoid.
- 3. Rifampin can decrease the blood concentrations of tolazamide, which
- can lead to a decrease in its effectiveness.
- 4. Oral antidiabetic medications can increase the effects of warfarin,
- which can lead to bleeding complications.
- 5. Beta-blocking medications (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol,
- esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, or
- timolol) combined with tolazamide can result in either high or low blood sugar
- levels. Beta blockers can also mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, which
- can be dangerous.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * It is important to tell your doctor if you have ever had unusual or
- allergic reactions to tolazamide or to any other sulfa medication (sulfonamide
- antibiotics, diuretics [water pills], or other oral antidiabetics).
- * It is also important to tell your doctor if you now have or if you have
- ever had kidney disease, liver disease, severe infections, or thyroid disease.
- * Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication (unless
- otherwise directed by your doctor). Some patients who take this medicine
- suffer nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain, pounding headache, sweating,
- and redness of the face and skin when they drink alcohol. Also, large amounts
- of alcohol can lower your blood sugar concentration to a dangerously low
- level.
- * Follow the special diet that your doctor gave you. This is an
- important part of controlling your blood sugar and is necessary in order for
- this medicine to work properly.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
- * Test for sugar in your urine as directed by your doctor. It is a
- convenient way to determine whether your diabetes is being controlled by this
- medicine.
- * Eat or drink something containing sugar right away if you experience
- any symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), such as anxiety, chills, cold
- sweats, cool or pale skin, drowsiness, excessive hunger, headache, nausea,
- nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shakiness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. It
- is important that your family and friends know the symptoms of low blood sugar
- and what to do if they observe any of these symptoms in you.
- Even if the hypoglycemic symptoms seem to disappear after you eat or
- drink a sugar-containing product, it is important to contact your doctor as
- soon as possible. The blood-sugar-lowering effects of tolazamide can last for
- hours, and your symptoms may return during this period. Good sources of sugar
- are orange juice, corn syrup, honey, sugar cubes, and table sugar. You are at
- greatest risk of developing low blood sugar if you skip or delay meals,
- exercise more than usual, are unable to eat because of nausea or vomiting, or
- drink large amounts of alcohol.
- * You may need to be switched to insulin if you suffer diabetic coma,
- have a severe infection, are scheduled for major surgery, or become pregnant.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Your dosing
- requirements for tolazamide may change during pregnancy. Although extensive
- studies in humans have not been conducted, adverse effects have been observed
- in the fetuses of animals that received this type of medication during
- pregnancy. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an
- infant. Small amounts of tolazamide may pass into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-