Acetazolamide for Pseudotumor Cerebri

Synonyms

Diamox

Definition and Medical Uses

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor often used in treatment of glaucoma, altitude sickness, and epileptic seizures are the main story for the treatment of pseudotumour cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension).

Use and Dose in Pseudotumor Cerebri

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are a first-line treatment and are believed to reduce the level of cerebrospinal fluid production as the mechanism at decreased intracranial pressure. A large multicenter trial, the idiopathic intracranial hypertension trial (IIHT), has supported the use of diet and acetazolamide in IIH. In adult patients, 500 mg twice per day is typically prescribed and advanced as required and tolerated by the patient. In young children, the recommended starting dose is typically 15 mg/kg per day up to 25 mg/kg per day with a maximum dose of 100 mg/kg per day or 2 g per day, but these higher doses are often not tolerated well.

Contraindication

Hyperchloremic acidosis, hypokalemia,...