Abstract

Diazoxide (Eudimene - A & H) was discovered during the search for a hypotensive non-diuretic analogue of chlorothiazide.¹ It was found to have a hyperglycaemic effect and also lowers blood pressure, especially after intravenous administration of the sodium salt. It suppresses the insulin response to oral glucose² and has been used to antagonise the effects of excess insulin secreted from islet-cell tumours.³ The drug has for some years been used in the US (as Hyperstat - Schering Corp.) but has only recently been marketed in Britain.