Unit Code 8697:
Acetazolamide, Serum
Useful For
Monitoring adequacy of blood concentration during acetazolamide
Therapy.
The clinical effect desired will not be achieved if the blood concentration
is <10 ug/mL. Toxicity is associated with blood concentration >20 ug/mL.
Evaluating patient compliance.
Clinical Information
Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a potent inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase.
Acetazolamide is used in the treatment of glaucoma by reducing
intraocular pressure secondary to a reduction in secretion of aqueous
humor, to treat the symptoms of mountain sickness (eg, headache,
nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and shortness of breath),
and as an antiepileptic and diuretic.
Acetazolamide side effects and adverse reactions include:
-Accumulation of carbon dioxide and renal loss of carbonic acid with
concurrent excretion of sodium, potassium, and water
-As a sulfonamide derivative, it may cause adverse reactions
common to this class of drugs: paresthesias, tinnitus, metabolic
acidosis, electrolyte imbalance, and transient myopia
No cases of acute poisoning with acetazolamide have been reported.
Reference Values
Therapeutic concentration: 10-15 ug/mL
Toxic concentration: > or =20 ug/mL
Interpretation
Therapeutic concentration: 10 ug/mL to 15 ug/mL
Cautions
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference
1. Goodman LS, Gilman A: The Pharmacologic Basis of Therapeutics.
5th edition. New York, Macmillan Company, 1975, p 218
2. Evans WO, Robinson SM, Horstman DH, et al: Amelioration of the
symptoms of acute mountain sickness by staging and acetazolamide.
Aviat Space Environ Med 1976;47:512-516
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