Tolazamide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 6, 2023.

Applies to tolazamide: oral tablet.

Common side effects of tolazamide

Some side effects of tolazamide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

• indigestion
• passing of gas

Rare side effects

• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• sensation of spinning

Incidence not known

• redness or other discoloration of skin
• severe sunburn

Serious side effects of tolazamide

Along with its needed effects, tolazamide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking tolazamide:

Rare side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• headache
• hives
• itching
• loss of appetite
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rash
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• tightness in chest
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• wheezing
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• agitation
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in urine or stools
• chest pain
• coma
• confusion
• convulsions
• cough or hoarseness
• decreased urine output
• depression
• difficulty breathing
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• fatigue
• fever with or without chills
• fluid-filled skin blisters
• general body swelling
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• hostility
• increased thirst
• irritability
• itching of the skin
• lethargy
• light-colored stools
• lower back or side pain
• muscle pain or cramps
• muscle twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• nosebleeds
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• rapid weight gain
• seizures
• sensitivity to the sun
• skin thinness
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stupor
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• swollen or painful glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking tolazamide:

Symptoms of overdose

• anxiety
• cold sweats
• cool, pale skin
• increased hunger
• nervousness
• nightmares
• shakiness
• slurred speech

For healthcare professionals

Applies to tolazamide: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reactions have included gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, epigastric fullness, and heartburn.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Disulfiram-like reactions
• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia

Sulfonylureas:

• Frequency not reported: Hepatic porphyria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, epigastric fullness, heartburn^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, epigastric fullness, and heartburn tend to be dose related and may disappear when dosage is reduced.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Sulfonylureas:

• Frequency not reported: Increased cardiovascular mortality^[Ref]

In the University Group Diabetes Program (UGDP) study, cardiovascular mortality rate was approximately 2.5 times higher in patients treated for 5 to 8 years with diet plus tolbutamide 1.5 g per day compared with that of patients treated with diet alone. The UGDP study was a long-term prospective clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of glucose lowering drugs in preventing or delaying vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=823). Tolbutamide was stopped based on the increase in cardiovascular mortality; a significant increase in total mortality was not observed, but stopping the drug may have limited the ability to measure that. In view of the close similarities in mode of action and chemical structure among sulfonylureas, these results may apply to other drug in this class.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity reactions described as skin reactions, e.g. pruritus, erythema, urticaria, and morbilliform or maculopapular eruptions occurred in 0.4% of patients during clinical trials. These may be transient and may disappear despite continued therapy; however, if skin reactions persist, this drug should be discontinued.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, headache, weakness^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Cholestatic jaundice^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Hyponatremia

Sulfonylureas:

• Frequency not reported: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue, malaise, vertigo^[Ref]

Hematologic

Sulfonylureas:

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic skin reactions (pruritus, erythema, urticaria, and morbilliform or maculopapular eruptions)

Sulfonylureas:

• Frequency not reported: Photosensitivity, porphyria cutanea tarda^[Ref]

Further information

Tolazamide side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer