Provided are immediate or prolonged administration of certain potassium ATP (K ATP ) channel openers to a subject to achieve novel pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, therapeutic, physiological, metabolic and compositional outcomes in the treatment of diseases or conditions involving K ATP channels. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations, methods of administration and dosing of K ATP channel openers that achieve these outcomes and reduce the incidence of adverse effects in treated individuals. Further provided are method of coadministering K AT P channel openers with other drugs to treat diseases of humans and animals.
