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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

ACETAZOLAMIDE (Diamox)



 INDICATIONS: 1. Diuretic  (particularly  in  the  presence  of  metabolic  alkalosis) 2. Correction  of  severe  metabolic  alkalosis

Diamox  250mg  tablets  

 DOSAGE: For  diuresis,  the  dose  is  usually  250-375  mg  stat.  If,  after  an  initial  response,  the  patient fails  to  continue  to  diurese,  do  not  increase  the  dose  but  allow  for  kidney  recovery  by skipping  medication  for  a  day.  Acetazolamide  yields  best  diuretic  results  when  given  on alternate  days,  or  for  2  days  alternating  with  a  day  of  rest. 

DOSAGE  IN  PAEDIATRICS: The  safety  and  effectiveness  of  acetazolamide  in  paediatric  patients  below  the  age  of 12  years  have  not  been  established. 

DOSAGE  IN  RENAL FAILURE AND  RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY: No  dose  adjustment  is  required  when  administered  for  ICU  indications  (beware  that acetazolamide  is  contraindicated  in  the  presence  of  metabolic  acidosis). This  drug  is  not  indicated  in  patients  on  renal  replacement  therapy.   

CLINICAL  PHARMACOLOGY Acetazolamide  is  an  enzyme  inhibitor  that  acts  on  carbonic  anhydrase,  the  enzyme  that catalyzes  the  reversible  reaction  involving  the  hydration  of  carbon  dioxide  and  the dehydration  of  carbonic  acid.

 CONTRAINDICATIONS 1. Hypersensitivity  to  acetazolamide  or  other  sulphonamides 2. Metabolic  acidosis 3. Cirrhosis  (risk  of  development  of  hepatic  encephalopathy) 

General Increasing  the  dose  does  not  increase  the  diuresis  and  may  increase  the  incidence  of drowsiness  and/or  paraesthesia.  Increasing  the  dose  often  results  in  a  decrease  in diuresis. 

Acetazolamide  and  sodium  bicarbonate  used  concurrently  increases  the  risk  of  renal calculus  formation.

METABOLIC SIDE EFFECTS 
Metabolic  acidosis,  electrolyte  imbalance,  including  hypokalaemia,  hyponatraemia,  loss of  appetite,  taste  alteration,  hyper/hypoglycaemia.

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