DRUG NAME MECHANISM OF ACTION

INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION DRUG’S EFFECT NSG. CONSIDERATION

GENERIC NAME:Acetazolamide

BRAND NAME: Diamox

CLASSIFICATION:

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor

DOSAGE: 500 mg/ tab

ROUTE: Oral

FREQUENCY: TID

Acetazolamide is an enzyme inhibitor that acts particularly on carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrase is the enzyme that converts carbon dioxide and water to carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as Acetazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the tissues and fluid thus, decreasing carbonic acid in the body.In the eye, the inhibitory action of Acetazolamide decreases the secretion of aqueous humor that lowers the intraocular pressure which is desirable in glaucoma. In the central nervous system (CNS), restrained carbonic anhydrase retards the abnormal and paroxysmal excessive discharge from the neurons of CNS.In the kidneys, carbonic acid is excreted due to the inhibited carbonic

Glaucoma (lowers intraocular pressure in the treatment of glaucoma)

Epilepsy Congestive

heart failure Drug-induced

edemaAltitude sickness (mountain sickness

Hypersensitivity to carbonic anhydrase inhibitor

Hypersensitivity to sulfonamides

Depressed levels of serum potassium and sodium

Marked kidney and liver disease

Suprarenal grand failure

Hyperchloremic disease

Concurrent use of ophthalmic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (brinzolamide, dorzolamide)

Adrenal gland failure (Addison’s disease)

Sickle cell anemia Chronic non-

congestive glaucomaUse cautiously in Chronic respiratory

disease Diabetes Mellitus Second or third

trimester of pregnancy

Depression Tiredness Body malaise Drowsiness and confusion Transient

nearsightedness Anorexia Metallic taste Nausea and vomiting Crystalluria Renal calculi Rashes Hyperglycemia Hyperchloremic acidosis Hypokalemia Aplastic anemia Hemolytic anemia Leucopenia Weight loss Paresthesias Tingling feeling of the

extremities Polyuria Polydipsia Blushing Headache Irritability Photosensitivity (rare)Occasional adverse reactions: Urticaria Melena

1. 1. Monitor individuals taking acetazolamide with primidone and carbamazepine.  Acetazolamide may increase the blood levels of carbamazepine and quinidine and may decrease the blood levels of primidone.

2. Instruct the patient to avoid taking aspirin with Acetazolamide. Increase in side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, lethargy, hyperventilation and ringing in the ears when acetazolamide is taken with aspirin.

3. Monitor electrolyte levels.

anhydrase function. The result is renal loss of bicarbonate which carries out sodium, potassium and water. Alkalinization of urine and diuresis then takes place.

Lactation History of kidney

stones

Hematuria Glycosuria Hepatic insufficiency Flaccid paralysisDuring long-term therapy, an acidotic state may occasionally appear. This can managed or corrected by the administration of bicarbonate.