Diazoxide Choline: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Diazoxide Choline is a medicine sold in the U.S. under one brand, for hyperphagia, malignant hypertension and hypoglycemia. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Treats
- Hyperphagia, Malignant Hypertension and Hypoglycemia
- Available as
- Tablet
- Sold as
- Vykat XR
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Not in our catalog
How diazoxide choline is dosed
From the FDA label for Vykat XR (application NDA216665). Other diazoxide choline products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Prior to initiation, test fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c; optimize blood glucose in patients who have hyperglycemia. ( 2.1 ) Do not substitute with diazoxide oral suspension. ( 2.1 ) Administer orally once daily. ( 2.2 ) Recommended starting dosage and titration schedule is based on patient’s body weight. ( 2.2 ) Weight Starting Dosage Titration Dosage Titration Dosage Target Maintenance Dose Weeks 1 and 2 Weeks 3 and 4 Weeks 5 and 6 20 to <30 kg 25 mg 50 mg 75 mg 100 mg 30 to <40 kg 75 mg 150 mg 150 mg 150 mg 40 to <65 kg 75 mg 150 mg 225 mg 225 mg 65 to <100 kg 150 mg 225 mg 300 mg 375 mg 100 to <135 kg 150 mg 300 mg 375 mg 450 mg ≥135 kg 150 mg 300 mg 450 mg 525 mg The maximum recommended dosage is 5.8 mg/kg/day or 525 mg per day. ( 2.2 ) Interrupt VYKAT XR or reduce dosage for clinically significant elevations in fasting glucose or HbA1c; consider dosage reduction or interruption for clinically significant fluid overload. ( 2.3 ) See full prescribing information for VYKAT XR dosage modifications due to drug interactions ( 2.4 ) Following dosage interruption or a missed dose of 7 days or more, re-titrate according to Table 1 or Table 2 . ( 2.5 ) 2.1 Important Recommendations Prior to VYKAT XR Initiation Laboratory Testing Prior to VYKAT XR Initiation Prior to initiating treatment with VYKAT XR, test fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c and optimize blood glucose in…
Diazoxide Choline side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Hyperglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Risk of Fluid Overload [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Adverse Reactions from Clinical Studies of VYKAT XR in Patients with PWS Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In the clinical study development program for treatment of hyperphagia in patients aged 4 years and older with PWS, a total of 125 patients received at least 1 dose of VYKAT XR. Patients received dosages of VYKAT XR up to 5.8 mg/kg/day (up to a maximum dosage of 525 mg/day) for up to 4.86 years (median: 3.0 years) in the following studies: Study 1: 13-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study in which 126 patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to VYKAT XR or placebo and received at least one dose of VYKAT XR. Study 2-OLE: A long-term, open-label, maintenance treatment period in 115 patients (mean duration 2.6 years; maximum duration 4.3 years) who had previously been enrolled in Study 1. Study 2-RWP: A 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal treatment period, in…
Who shouldn’t take diazoxide choline
VYKAT XR is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to diazoxide, other components of VYKAT XR, or to thiazides. Erythema multiforme has been reported with VYKAT XR [see Adverse Reactions (6) ] . Known hypersensitivity to diazoxide, other components of VYKAT XR, or to thiazides. ( 4 )
Diazoxide Choline drug interactions
Table 4 displays clinically significant drug interactions with VYKAT XR. Table 4: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with VYKAT XR Strong CYP1A2 Inhibitors See www.fda.gov/CYPandTransporterInteractingDrugs for examples of strong CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 inhibitors, sensitive CYP1A2 substrates, and dual strong CYP3A4 / moderate 1A2 inducers. Prevention or Management Reduce the dosage of VYKAT XR when concomitantly used with strong inhibitors of CYP1A2 [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) VYKAT XR is a CYP1A2 substrate. Concomitant use of VYKAT XR with strong CYP1A2 inhibitors increases exposure of diazoxide, which may increase the frequency and/or severity of adverse reactions from VYKAT XR [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . CYP1A2 Substrates Prevention or Management Concomitant use of VYKAT XR with CYP1A2 substrates is not recommended. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) VYKAT XR is an inhibitor of CYP1A2. Concomitant use of VYKAT XR with CYP1A2 substrates increases exposure of these substrates. This may increase the frequency and/or severity of adverse reactions from such substrates. Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Prevention or Management Monitor the frequency and severity of adverse reactions from VYKAT XR. A dosage reduction of VYKAT XR may be needed when used concomitantly with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Concomitant use of VYKAT XR with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increases exposure of diazoxide, which may increase the frequency and/or severity of adverse reactions from VYKAT XR [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Dual Strong CYP3A4 / Moderate 1A2 Inducers Prevention or Management Concomitant use of VYKAT XR with dual strong CYP3A4/moderate CYP1A2 inducers is not recommended. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) VYKAT XR is a substrate of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. Concomitant use of VYKAT XR with strong CYP3A4/moderate 1A2 inducers may decrease exposure of VYKAT XR. This may decrease the efficacy of VYKAT XR [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Drugs Highly Bound to Protein Prevention or Management Monitor international normalized ratio (INR) in patients who use coumarin or its derivatives concomitantly with VYKAT XR. Dosage modification of coumarin or its derivatives may be needed when used concomitantly with VYKAT XR. Monitor diphenylhydantoin serum levels when VYKAT XR is used concomitantly with diphenylhydantoin. Dosage modification of diphenylhydantoin may be needed when used concomitantly with VYKAT XR. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Diazoxide is highly bound to serum proteins. Diazoxide may displace other drugs which are also highly bound to protein resulting in higher or lower blood levels of the concomitantly used drugs. The impact of protein binding displacement is expected to be clinically important for drugs with narrow therapeutic range such as coumarin or its derivatives and diphenylhydantoin. Protein binding displacement may result in an increased risk of adverse reactions due to higher blood levels of coumarin or its derivative or loss of efficacy due to lower exposures of diphenylhydantoin. Thiazide or Other Diuretics Prevention or Management Monitor for signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] and hyperuricemia when VYKAT XR is used concomitantly with thiazides or other diuretics. Dosage adjustment of VYKAT XR or diuretics may be needed when VYKAT XR is concomitantly used with diuretics. Mechanism and Clinical Effect(s) Both diazoxide and thiazides or other diuretics may produce hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia. The concomitant use of VYKAT XR with thiazides or other diuretics may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of diazoxide [see Adverse Reactions (6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . Strong CYP1A2 Inhibitors: Reduce VYKAT XR dosage. ( 2.4 , 7 ) CYP1A2 Substrates: Concomitant use with VYKAT XR is not recommended. ( 7 ) See full prescribing information for additional clinically significant drug interactions. ( 7 )
Every diazoxide choline product we track (1)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
Only one: Vykat XR.
What diazoxide choline pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
Can you crush or split diazoxide choline?
At least one diazoxide cholineproduct is labelled to be swallowed whole — crushing an extended-release tablet releases the whole day’s dose at once. Which applies depends on the form you were given.
What each diazoxide choline label says about crushing, splitting and chewingWhat people report to the FDA about diazoxide choline
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 162 reports naming diazoxide choline, and the FDA flagged 23% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- oedema peripheral41 reports
- peripheral swelling33 reports
- fluid retention31 reports
- oedema28 reports
- blood glucose increased26 reports
- weight increased21 reports
- hair growth abnormal13 reports
- dyspnoea11 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean diazoxide choline caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 25, 2026.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is diazoxide choline?
VYKAT XR contains diazoxide choline. Diazoxide choline is very slightly soluble to soluble in solvents dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, and methanol and practically insoluble in solvents methyl tert -butyl ether. The pKa is 8.44 ± 0.01 Diazoxide choline is 7-Chloro-3-methyl-1λ6, 2,4-benzothiadiazin-2-ide 1,1-dioxide 2- hydroxyethyl(trimethyl)azanium.
Can you take diazoxide choline with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run diazoxide choline against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What forms does diazoxide choline come in?
Across the brands we track, diazoxide choline is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic diazoxide choline?
We do not currently list a generic-labelled diazoxide choline product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Diazoxide Choline: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/diazoxide-choline
- MLA
- “Diazoxide Choline: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/diazoxide-choline.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for diazoxide choline on DailyMed (NIH) ↗.