What is Diazoxide used for?

Diazoxide is indicated for: Insulinoma, Insulinoma (hypoglycaemia), Insulinoma (medical management).

Which species have cited Diazoxide dosing data?

Diazoxide dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 3 species: Dog (Domestic), Ferret, Guinea Pig.

Is Diazoxide a controlled substance?

Diazoxide is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

How does Diazoxide work?

Opens KATP channels in pancreatic beta cells, inhibiting insulin secretion. Also has extrapancreatic hyperglycemic effects.

Diazoxide

US brand names:Proglycem

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Diazoxide is dosed at 5–25 mg/kg PO q12h in guinea pigs, per Hess LR, Ravich ML, Reavill DR. Diagnosis and treatment of an insulinoma in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;242:522-526. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.799 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Emergency

Routes

Indications

InsulinomaInsulinoma (hypoglycaemia)Insulinoma (medical management)

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Used for insulinoma management (dogs). GI upset, anorexia, hypotension. Sodium and fluid retention (may need diuretic). Monitor blood glucose. Expensive.

Evidence levels across 3 dose rules

Moderate×2Weak×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (1 of 3 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 3 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	5–30 mg/kg	q12h	Moderate	Nelson RW. Chapter 9: Beta-Cell Neoplasia: Insulinoma. In: Feldman EC, Nelson RW, Reusch CE, Scott-Moncrieff JCR, Behrend EN, eds. Canine and Feline Endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2015:348-375. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-4456-5.00009-2 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.382, Diazoxide monograph spanning p.382-383.

Backed by 3 published sourcesShow

· Hess LR, Ravich ML, Reavill DR. Diagnosis and treatment of an insulinoma in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;242:522-526. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.799 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.7 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rodents).
· Marini RP, Ryden EB, Rosenblad WD, et al. Functional islet cell tumor in six ferrets. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1993;202:430-433. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.949 doi:10.2460/javma.1993.202.03.430 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.8 (Endocrine and Reproductive Disease Agents Used in Ferrets).
· Nelson RW. Chapter 9: Beta-Cell Neoplasia: Insulinoma. In: Feldman EC, Nelson RW, Reusch CE, Scott-Moncrieff JCR, Behrend EN, eds. Canine and Feline Endocrinology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2015:348-375. doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-4456-5.00009-2 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.382, Diazoxide monograph spanning p.382-383.

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