Tolazamide Description

Generic Name : TOLAZAMIDE

Pronunciation : (tole az' a mide)

Trade Name(s) : Daonil.Betanase, Diaphen

Why it is prescribed: Tolazamide is used to treat type II or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, particularly in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled by diet alone or who cannot tolerate insulin injections. Tolazamide helps to lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin and helping the body use insulin efficiently. The pancreas must be capable of producing insulin for this medication to work. Tolazamide is not used to treat type I or insulin-dependent diabetes.

When it is to be taken: Tolazamide usually is taken once a day with breakfast. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective.

How it should be taken: Tolazamide comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not take more of the drug than your doctor has prescribed.

Special Instruction :
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your response to the drug can be evaluated. Your dose may need to be adjusted, especially during the first few weeks that you are taking tolazamide.
2. Regular physical activity is important. Follow your doctor's advice on exercise.
3. Losing weight, stopping smoking, using proper personal hygiene, avoiding infection, taking medication control high blood pressure, and avoiding emotional stress also are important in treating diabetes.
4. Contact your doctor if tolazamide loses its effectiveness. Your doctor may prescribe a different drug.
5. Special dietary instructions should be followed. Your doctor will prescribe a diet that restricts calories and may result in weight loss. Diet is extremely important in the treatment of diabetes, so follow your doctor's instructions concerning diet and exercise. Skipping or delaying meals or exercising more than usual can cause your blood sugar to fall too low. Maintaining a proper diet and exercising regularly will help you avoid this problem.
6. Ask your doctor for advice on how much alcohol is safe to drink. Alcoholic beverages can cause hypoglycemia, flushing, headache, or nausea. They also contain calories, which may make weight control difficult.
7. Before you start to take tolazamide, ask your doctor what you should do if you forget to take a dose. Write down these instructions so that you can refer to them later.

Side Effects :
1. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): headache, nausea, sweating, hunger, paleness, numb mouth, tingling fingers, tremors, blurred or double vision, chills, muscle weakness, fatigue, irritability, mental confusion, uncontrolled yawning, shallow breathing, palpitations, fast heartbeat. Drink fruit juice or eat something containing sugar and contact your doctor.
2. If you feel faint, instruct someone to take you to your doctor or to a hospital right away.
3. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, gas, diarrhea or constipation, cramps, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, headache. Contact your doctor; your dose or dosage schedule may needed to be changed.
4. Itching, skin rash, yellowing of skin of eyes, light-colored stools, dark urine, fever, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Tolazamide may affect the way your body responds to certain other drugs. Before you take tolazamide, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.
2. Before taking tolazamide, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have liver, kidney, thyroid, adrenal, or pituitary disease.
3. If you become pregnant while taking tolazamide, contact your doctor at once.
4. This medication makes some people more sensitive to sunlight that they normally are. Be careful about exposing yourself to sunlight and sunlamps.
5. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take tolazamide.
6. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.