Effect of diazoxide on capacitance vessels

Haemodynamic changes after an i.v. bolus of diazoxide 300 mg were studied in 11 hypertensive subjects. A hypotensive effect due to a fall in total peripheral vascular resistance was found in all of them, but changes in the peripheral circulation were less regular. A uniform change in forearm blood volume, blood flow, vascular resistance and venous distensibility was not found after diazoxide. This is interpreted as being due to a reflex increase in sympathetic activity, which counteracts the direct vasodilator action of the drug.