Diazoxide

DIAZOXIDE, a benzothiadiazine derivative closely related chemically to the thiazide diuretics (Fig. 1), lacks the 7-sulfonamide group and a halogen substitution at the 6 position, does not inhibit carbonic anhydrase, and is devoid of chloriuretic and natriuretic activity. It is a potent and rapidly acting antihypertensive agent and, after 12 years of clinical trial, was marketed three years ago for intravenous therapy of hypertensive emergencies.Mechanism of ActionDiazoxide exerts its hypotensive action entirely by reducing vascular resistance in all circulatory beds through direct relaxation of arteriolar smooth muscle.1 2 3 4 5 6 The cellular mechanism of this effect is not yet understood; it . . .