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Acetazolamide

Acetazolamide, sold under the trade name Diamox®, is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that is used to treat glaucoma, epileptic seizures, benign intracranial hypertension and altitude sickness. For glaucoma sufferers, the drug decreases fluid formation around the eye resulting in lower internal pressure on the eye. Acetazolamide can only be obtained by prescription and is available as a generic drug. more...

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Uses

General

Acetazolamide is used in glaucoma and epilepsy. In epilepsy, its main use is in absence seizures, with some benefit in other seizure syndromes. It is also used to decrease generation of cerebrospinal fluid in benign intracranial hypertension.

Altitude sickness

Acetazolamide has been shown to relieve mild cases of altitude sickness in some people. The drug forces the kidneys to excrete bicarbonate, the base form of carbon dioxide thus counteracting the effects of hyperventilation that occurs at altitude. Some take acetazolamide prophylactically, anywhere between 125 milligrams (mg) to 500 mg per day. Others only take it when symptoms begin to appear so they can tell whether the drug really has any benefits for them. Acetazolamide can also be taken to treat sleep apnea that may develop at higher elevations as it stimulates the respiratory system to breathe more regularly. Note that acetazolamide is not an immediate quick fix – it speeds up acclimatization which in turn helps to relieve symptoms. This may take up to a day or two without any further rapid ascent.

Side-effects

Common side effects of using this drug include numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes, and taste alterations (especially for carbonated drinks); both are usually due to mild hypokalemia (low potassium levels). Some may also experience blurred vision but this usually disappears shortly after stopping the medication. Everyone will experience more frequent urination as a result of using acetazolamide. One should drink more fluids than usual to prevent dehydration and headaches.

Contraindications

Acetazolamide should not be taken by individuals if:

  • They are allergic to sulfa medications
  • They are allergic to any carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
  • They have liver or kidney disease
  • They have adrenal gland failure (i.e. Addison's disease)
  • They have diabetes

Myths

  • Acetazolamide covers up symptoms. Acetazolamide speeds up acclimatization which in turn helps to alleviate symptoms. However, if you still feel sick, you need to stop ascending immediately.
  • Acetazolamide prevents acute mountain sickness from getting worse. If your symptoms are not improving, continued ascent can lead to HAPE or HACE.
  • Stopping the drug causes symptoms to worsen. Your body will just return to its own acclimatization rate. If you are already acclimatized, the drug will not change that fact.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Cerebellar vasoreactivity in stroke patients with crossed cerebellar diaschisis assessed by acetazolamide and (99m)Tc-HMPAO SPECT : An article from: The Journal of Nuclear Medicine $20.00 Acetazolamide stress brain-perfusion SPECT predicts the need for carotid shunting during carotid endarterectomy : An article from: The Journal of Nuclear Medicine $20.00
Effects of intralaryngeal carbon dioxide and acetazolamide on the laryngeal chemoreflex : An article from: The Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology $10.00

Comparison of acetazolamide and medroxyprogesterone as respiratory stimulants in hypercapnic patients with COPD - clinical investigations - chronic obstructive
Background: Acetazolamide and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) are two respiratory stimulants that can be used in patients with stable hypercapnic COPD. Design and methods: The effects of acetaz
Acetazolamide Improves Central Sleep Apnea in Heart Failure: A Double-Blind, Prospective Study
Rationale: Acetazolamide is a mild diuretic and a respiratory stimulant. It is used to treat periodic breathing at high altitude. Objectives: To determine ...
Acetazolamide: A Treatment for Chronic Mountain Sickness
Rationale: Chronic mountain sickness or Monge's disease is characterized by an excessive polycythemia in high-altitude dwellers, with a prevalence of 5 to 18% above 3,200 m. To date, no pharmacologic
Altered taste secondary to acetazolamide therapy
Acetazolamide inhibits the enzyme carbonic anhydrase and is used in treating glaucoma and epilepsy, and in preventing high-altitude sickness (or mountain ...
Effects of acetazolamide and furosemide on ventilation and cerebral blood volume in normocapnic and hypercapnic patients with COPD - chronic obstructive
Study objectives: Effects of chronic metabolic alkalosis and acidosis and their relation to central chemoregulation may differ between normocapnic and ...
The effects of acetazolamide on the ventilatory response to high altitude hypoxia
Acute mountain sickness occurs in man following rapid ascent to HA.[1] The exact causes and mechanism of the development of AMS are unknown.[2] Acetazolamide, ...
Acetazolamide in treatment of acute mountain sickness - Tips from Other Journals
Acute mountain sickness, characterized by headache, anorexia, insomnia and malaise, is usually self-limited but may progress to life-threatening high-altitude ...
AAN releases recommendations for managing essential tremor
The Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has released evidence-based recommendations for the initiation of pharmacologic ...

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