Drug Name:Acetazolamide
Drug Class:Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Mechanism of Action:
  • Inhibits carbonic anhydrase enzyme, reducing bicarbonate production and increasing urinary excretion of bicarbonate, sodium, and potassium
  • Also reduces intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production
Use:
  • Treatment of glaucoma
  • Prevention and treatment of altitude sickness
  • Adjunctive treatment of epilepsy
  • Treatment of edema due to heart failure or other causes
Side Effects:
  • Metabolic acidosis
  • Hypokalemia
  • Paresthesias
  • Drowsiness
  • Anorexia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
Contraindications:
  • Hypersensitivity to sulfonamides
  • Hyponatremia
  • Severe liver or kidney disease
  • Adrenal gland failure
Specialty:
  • Ophthalmology
  • Emergency medicine
  • Neurology
  • Cardiology