Diazoxide (DZ)

Diazoxide is a potassium channel activator, which causes local relaxation in smooth muscle by increasing membrane permeability to potassium ions. This switches off voltage-gated calcium ion channels which inhibits the generation of an action potential. Diazoxide is used as a vasodilator in the treatment of acute hypertension or malignant hypertension.Diazoxide also inhibits the secretion of insulin from the pancreas, thus it is used to counter hypoglycemia in disease states such as insulinoma (a tumor producing insulin) or congenital hyperinsulinism. Diazoxide acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor, suggesting potential application as a cognitive enhancer. Diazoxide interferes with insulin release through its action on potassium channels. The efflux of potassium, as an effect of Diazoxide, will lead to hyperpolarization of cell membrane that leads to decrease calcium influx.