DRUG STUDY GENERIC NAME

Acetazolamide

BRAND NAME/ DOSAGE

Diamox, Dazamide, Diamox S equels, Storzolamide, Acetazolam, ApoAcetazolamide Dosage: PO (adults) Glaucoma: 250-1000 mg/day in 1-4 divided doses (up to 250 mg every 4 hours) Epilepsy: 4-30 mg/kg/day in 1-4 divided doses Altitude sickness: 250 mg 2-4 times a day started 24-48 hours before ascent, continued for 48 hours or longer to control symptoms. PO (Children) Glaucoma: 8-30 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses IM, IV (Adults): 250500 mg, may repeat in 2-4 hours IM, IV (children): 5-10 mg/kg every 6 hours

GENERAL ACTION
antiglaucoma, diuretics, ocular hypotensive agents, anticonvulsants

MECHANISM OF ACTION

CONTRAINDICATION/ SIDE EFFECTS

Contraindication:

NURSING RESPONSIBILITY
Monitor individuals taking acetazolamid e with primidone and carbamazepine. Ac etazolamide may increase the blood levels of carbamazepine and quinidine and may decrease the blood levels of primidone. 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 aceta zolamideis taken with aspirin. Monitor electrolyte levels

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

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 First trimester of pregnancy Concurrent use of ophthalmic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (brinzolamide, dorzolamide) Adrenal gland failure (Addisons disease) Sickle cell anemia Chronic non-congestive Side effects: Depression Tiredness Body malaise Drowsiness and confusion Transient nearsightedness Anorexia Metallic taste Nausea and vomiting

intraocular pressure which is desirable in glaucoma. In the

anhydrase retards the abnormal and paroxysmal excessive discharge from the neurons of CNS. In the kidneys, carbonic acid
central nervous system (CNS), restrained carbonic

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

Crystalluria Renal calculi Rashes Hyperglycemia