Diamox

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > D



How does it work?

Acetazolamide belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Carbonic anhydrase is a chemical in the body that is responsible for the production and breakdown of carbonic acid. Part of this reaction results in the production of bicarbonate. Acetazolamide acts to inhibit the action of carbonic anhydrase and thereby decrease the production of bicarbonate Bicarbonate is required for the production of the fluid that fills the back of the eye (aqueous humour). By decreasing the production of bicarbonate, acetazolamide decreases the amount of aqueous humour produced in the eye. This helps reduce the pressure caused by the fluid within the eye in conditions such as glaucoma. In the kidneys, acetazolamide acts to increase the amount of bicarbonate lost from the body. Bicarbonate draws water with it from the kidneys. This results in a small increase in the amount of water being lost from the body. Therefore acetazolamide has some activity as a diuretic. As acetazolamide causes only minor water loss, it is called a weak diuretic. Acetazolamide may also be used in conjunction with other anti-epileptic medicines in the treatment of epilepsy. It is not fully understood how it works in this condition. It is thought to stabilise the activity of nerves. Chemicals must pass through openings on nerve cells for electrical signals to be generated. By decreasing the amount of bicarbonate produced in the body, acetazolamide alters the balance of chemicals in the blood. This may alter the amounts of some chemicals that can pass through the openings on nerve cells. This in turn, may help prevent excessively rapid and repetitive firing of electrical signals. Thereby electrical nerve activity in the brain may be stabilised, leading to prevention of fits and maintenance of normal brain function.

What is it used for?

- Epilepsy
- Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to heart failure
- Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to other medicines
- Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to the pre-menstrual syndrome
- Glaucoma caused by another disease of the eye
- Open angle glaucoma
- Prior to surgery for suddenly severe closed angle glaucoma

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