Tolinase

Product Information Change Font Size The following information is a summary about Tolinase. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions. What is tolazamide? Tolazamide is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to help control blood sugar levels. Tolazamide is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus along with diet, exercise, and insulin therapy, if necessary. Tolazamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. What is the most important information I should know about tolazamide? Treatment with tolazamide may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to treatment of diabetes with diet alone or diet plus insulin. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of treatment with tolazamide. Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing any of them can affect blood sugar levels. Do not change your dose of tolazamide without first talking to your doctor. Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tolazamide? Before taking tolazamide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; have liver disease; have thyroid disease; have type 1 diabetes; have a serious infection, illness, or injury; or need surgery. You may not be able to take tolazamide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Patients 65 years of age and older may have a stronger reaction to tolazamide and may require a reduced dose. Tolazamide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether tolazamide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Insulin is usually the drug of choice for controlling diabetes during pregnancy. It is not known whether tolazamide passes into breast milk. Do not take tolazamide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I take tolazamide? Take tolazamide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Tolazamide is usually taken before breakfast or the first main meal if it is taken once a day, or before meals if it is taken multiple times each day. Follow your doctor's instructions. Your healthcare provider may recommend regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with blood or urine tests. It is important to take tolazamide regularly to get the most benefit. Do not change your dose of tolazamide without first talking to your doctor. Store tolazamide at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a tolazamide overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and coma. What should I avoid while taking tolazamide? Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing any of these things can effect blood sugar levels. Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment. Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before you undergo any surgery. Do not take any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight loss medications without first talking to your doctor. Tolazamide side effects Stop taking tolazamide and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Other, less serious side effects from tolazamide result mostly from blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low. You should be familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency situation. Low blood sugar may occur when too much tolazamide is taken; when meals are missed or delayed; if you exercise more than usual; during illness, especially with vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications; after drinking alcohol; and in other situations. Hypoglycemia or Low blood sugar has the following symptoms: shaking; headache; cold sweats; pale, cool skin; anxiety; and difficulty concentrating. Keep hard, sugary candy; chocolate; fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes of low blood sugar. Increased blood sugar may occur when not enough tolazamide is taken; if you eat significantly more food than usual; if you exercise less than usual; if you take other medications; during fever or other illness; and in other situations. Hyperglycemia or High blood sugar has the following symptoms: increased thirst, increased hunger, and increased urination. There may be an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) complications with the use of tolazamide when compared to the treatment of diabetes with diet or diet plus insulin. The long-term use of tolazamide should be discussed with your doctor. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What other drugs will affect tolazamide? Many other medicines may increase or decrease the effects of tolazamide or affect your condition. Before taking tolazamide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: aspirin or another salicylate such as magnesium/choline salicylate (Trilisate), salsalate (Disalcid, others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate (Magan), or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol); a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), and others; a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil); a beta-blocker such as propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), and others; a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), and others; a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol, others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), and others; a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), and others; phenytoin (Dilantin); isoniazid (Nydrazid); or prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal cough, cold, allergy, or weight loss medications. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with tolazamide or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. Where can I get more information? Your pharmacist has additional information about tolazamide written for health professionals that you may read. What does my medication look like? Tolazamide is available with a prescription under the brand name Tolinase. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.