Vykat XR
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) is an oral medication used to treat extreme hunger and food-seeking behaviors related to Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). This medication is approved for adults and children ages 4 years and older with this rare genetic condition. Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) comes as an extended-release tablet that's taken once a day. Your dose is based on your body weight and is slowly increased over the first several weeks. Common side effects include extra hair growth, swelling, and high blood sugar.
What is Vykat XR (diazoxide choline)?
What is Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) used for?
- Extreme hunger and ongoing food-seeking behaviors (hyperphagia) in people 4 years and older with Prader-Willi syndrome
How Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) works
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) is a potassium channel activator. It works by turning on certain potassium channels in your brain. This helps calm some hunger signals in people with Prader-Willi syndrome, so they feel less hungry.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vykat XR |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Potassium channel activator |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Vykat XR (diazoxide choline)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Extra hair growth (36%)
- Swelling from fluid buildup (27%)
- High blood sugar (17%)
- Rash (12%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Flu
- Stuffy or runny nose
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- High blood sugar: feeling very thirsty, feeling more hungry than usual with weight loss, urinating more often than usual, making larger amounts of urine than usual,
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, feeling weak or unwell, trouble breathing, fruity-smelling breath
- A lot of fluid buildup in the body: swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or face; sudden weight gain; trouble breathing
The following Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, sudden weight gain
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Vykat XR (diazoxide choline)
Pros
- Can help reduce extreme hunger and food-seeking behaviors
- A tablet that's taken once a day, with or without food
- Approved for adults and children ages 4 years and older
Cons
- Dose is slowly increased during the first 6 weeks
- Needs regular blood sugar checks
- Can cause fluid buildup and swelling
Pharmacist tips for Vykat XR (diazoxide choline)
- Take Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) once a day, with or without food, exactly as your prescriber tells you to. Taking it around the same time every day helps keep the medication working the way it should.
- Swallow Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) tablets whole. Don’t split, crush, or chew them. This can change how the extended-release medication works and might make it less safe or less effective.
- Don’t switch between Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) and diazoxide oral suspension (Proglycem) unless your prescriber tells you to. These medications don’t work the same way in your body and they're used for different conditions. Switching between them on your own can lead you to take the wrong dose.
- If you miss a dose of Vykat XR (diazoxide choline), take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Don’t take 2 doses at the same time because this can raise your risk of side effects.
- If you’ve missed Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) for 7 days or more, call your prescriber before taking it again. You’ll usually need to restart at a lower dose. Your prescriber will slowly raise your dose again.
- Watch for signs of too much fluid buildup while taking Vykat XR (diazoxide choline). Tell your prescriber right away if you have swelling in your legs, ankles, feet, or face. Also tell them if you have sudden weight gain or trouble breathing. Catching this early can help prevent more serious problems.
- Keep all of your blood sugar checks while taking Vykat XR (diazoxide choline). This medication can raise your blood sugar. Regular testing helps your prescriber find problems early and adjust your treatment if needed. Tell your care team if you feel very thirsty, feel hungrier than usual with weight loss, or urinate more often than usual.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. They can check for drug interactions and make changes if needed. Some medications, such as fluvoxamine (Luvox), can raise Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) levels and raise the risk of side effects. Water pills (diuretics) can also raise your risk of high blood sugar.
- Tell the healthcare professional who manages your warfarin (Coumadin) if you start or stop Vykat XR (diazoxide choline). This medication can affect how warfarin works. The healthcare professional might need to check your blood more often or adjust your warfarin dose to keep you safe.
- Store Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) at room temperature in a tightly closed bottle. Keep the desiccant (drying agent) inside. This helps protect the medication from moisture.
Risks and warnings for Vykat XR (diazoxide choline)
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
High blood sugar
- Risk factors: Considered obese | High fasting blood sugar | A1C at the upper limit of normal or above | Taking growth hormone | Taking oral corticosteroids or receiving corticosteroids as an injection
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) can raise your blood sugar. Your risk can be higher if you're considered obese, already have high blood sugar, or take growth hormone or steroid medications. Watch for signs like feeling very thirsty, feeling hungrier than usual with weight loss, or urinating more often than usual. Tell your prescriber right away if you notice these signs.
Very high blood sugar can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious medical emergency. Your risk of DKA can be higher if you're sick, dehydrated, or recently had surgery. It can also be higher if your growth hormone or blood sugar medications change. Watch for nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, trouble breathing, or fruity-smelling breath. Get medical help right away if you have these symptoms.
Your prescriber will check your blood sugar levels before you start Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) and during treatment. If your blood sugar gets too high, your prescriber might lower your dose, pause your treatment, or stop the medication. They might also send you to a diabetes specialist to help manage your blood sugar.
Risk of fluid overload
- Risk factors: Heart problems
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) can cause swelling from fluid buildup. In some people, it can become severe. This can include fluid buildup in the lungs, which can make it hard to breathe. Too much fluid in the body might also raise the risk of heart failure in people with certain heart problems.
Watch for swelling in your legs, ankles, feet, hands, or face. Also watch for sudden weight gain or trouble breathing. These can be signs of too much fluid in your body. Your prescriber might lower your dose or pause your treatment if needed.
Tell your prescriber right away if your swelling is new or getting worse. Get emergency medical help if you have trouble breathing.
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) dosage
Typical dosage for Vykat XR (diazoxide choline)
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) is taken by mouth once a day. Your prescriber will calculate your dose based on your body weight. You'll start at a low dose. Your prescriber will slowly increase it over the first 6 weeks until you reach your target maintenance dose.
Your prescriber might adjust the dose if you have side effects or take certain medications that interact with Vykat XR (diazoxide choline).
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to diazoxide
- Allergy to thiazide medications (like certain water pills)
Vykat XR (diazoxide choline) images
