Acetazolamide

Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with diuretic, antiglaucoma, anticonvulsant, and altitude sickness-preventing properties. It’s widely used in various clinical conditions involving fluid retention, intraocular pressure, and certain neurological disorders.

✅ Approved & Common Indications:

🌿 Ophthalmic Uses

• Chronic Simple (Open-Angle) Glaucoma
  Reduces elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) as an adjunct or alternative when topical therapy is insufficient.
• Secondary Glaucoma
  Including aphakic and secondary glaucoma due to uveitis or other causes.
• Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma (Preoperative/Adjunctive)
  Rapidly lowers IOP prior to surgical intervention.

🌿 Neurological Uses

• Epilepsy (Adjunctive Therapy)
  Used as an adjunct in the management of certain types of seizures, including petit mal (absence), mixed seizures, and myoclonic seizures, especially in cases resistant to standard antiepileptic agents.
• Pseudotumor Cerebri (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension)
  Helps lower elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, alleviating symptoms like headache and papilledema.

🌿 Respiratory and High-Altitude Uses

• Prevention and Treatment of Acute Mountain (High-Altitude) Sickness (AMS)
  Aids acclimatization and reduces symptoms such as headache, nausea, and fatigue by inducing mild metabolic acidosis, stimulating ventilation.

🌿 Renal and Fluid Balance Uses

• Edema Associated with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
  Short-term management of edema where other diuretics are less effective.
• Drug-Induced Edema
  For cases of fluid retention caused by medications.
• Metabolic Alkalosis
  Particularly when associated with diuretic therapy or respiratory insufficiency.