ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses acetazolamide, a neuropsychotropic drug. It presents the approved indications of the drug for neuropsychological disorders, usual dosage and administration, available dosage forms, storage, and compatibility, and the mechanism of action. Information on clinically significant drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and overdosage is also provided. Sold under the trade name Diamox®, acetazolamide is prescribed as adjunctive pharmacotherapy. Tolerance to its anticonvulsant action develops relatively quickly, and, thus, prevents its use for long-term, continuous pharmacotherapy. However, full efficacy is generally quickly restored after a temporary disruption of acetazolamide pharmacotherapy. The acetazolamide injectable formulation is indicated for intravenous use only. Acetazolamide’s anticonvulsant action appears to be associated with the following mechanisms: the production of metabolic acidosis; mediation through an adrenergic mechanism; and carbonic anhydrase inhibition within the brain and resultant increased carbon dioxide tension.
