Metabolic alkalosis acetazolamide

Acidosis and alkalosis are infrequent. Metabolic acidosis is a side effect of acetazolamide therapy and is due to bicarbonate loss in the PCT. All the K+-sparing diuretics can cause metabolic acidosis by H+ retention in the cells of the collecting duct. Metabolic alkalosis is associated with the loop and thiazide drugs. Reflex responses to volume depletion cause reabsorption of HCO-3 in the PCT and H+ secretion in the collecting tubule. 

Metabolic alkalosis is generally treated by correction of abnormalities in total body K+, intravascular volume, or mineralocorticoid levels. However, when the alkalosis is due to excessive use of diuretics in patients with severe heart failure, replacement of intravascular volume may be contraindicated. In these cases, acetazolamide can be useful in correcting the alkalosis as well as producing a small additional diuresis for correction of volume overload. Acetazolamide can also be used to rapidly correct the metabolic alkalosis that may develop in the setting of respiratory acidosis. 

Diuretic-induced metabolic alkalosis is another adverse effect that may further compromise cardiac function. This complication can be treated with replacement of K+ and restoration of intravascular volume with saline however, severe heart failure may preclude the use of saline even in patients who have received excessive diuretic therapy. In these cases, adjunctive use of acetazolamide helps to... 

Acetazolamide can cause a metabolic acidosis in 50% of elderly patients (SEDA-11,199) occasionally (particularly if salicylates are being given or renal function is poor) the acidosis can be severe. It does this by inhibiting renal bicarbonate reabsorption. This effect is of particular use in treating patients with chronic respiratory acidosis with superimposed metabolic alkalosis. Life-threatening metabolic acidosis is rarely observed in the absence of renal insufficiency and/or diabetes mellitus. In three patients with central nervous system pathology alone conventional doses of acetazolamide resulted in severe metabolic acidosis (34). After withdrawal it took up to 48 hours for the metabolic acidosis and accompanying hyperventilation to resolve. 

Children with heart disease often require high-dose diuretic therapy, which can lead to hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. There are limited data on the safety of acetazolamide in the treatment of hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis in children. In 28 patients, median age 2 (range 0.3-20) months who took acetazolamide 5 mg/kg for 3 days, there were no adverse events (36). There was no significant difference in any electrolyte concentration, except for serum HC03, which fell from 36 to 31 mmol/1, and serum chloride, which rose from 91 to 95 mmol/1. There was no change in urine output. Acetazolamide appears to be safe in very young patients when given for 3 consecutive days. 

Moffett BS, Moffett TI, Dickerson HA. Acetazolamide therapy for hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis in pediatric patients with heart disease. Am J Ther 2007 14 331-5. 

Around 60-70% of the filtered sodium is usually reabsorbed in the proximal tubule therefore, acetazolamide could be expected to have a rather potent diuretic effect. However, it produces rather modest diuresis because most of the excess sodium leaving the proximal tubule can be reabsorbed in the more distal segments of the nephron. Furthermore, its diuretic action is progressively diminished by the development of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis caused by the loss of bicarbonate ions into the urine (Martinez-Maldonado Cordova 1990, Rose 1989, 1991, Wilcox 1991). In humans, the primary indication for acetazolamide (as a diuretic agent) is the treatment of edema with metabolic alkalosis. 

C. Clinical Uses The major application of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is in the treatment of glaucoma. Acetazolamide must be administered orally, but topical analogs are now available (dorzolamide, brinzolamide) for use in the eye. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are also used to prevent acute mountain (high-altitude) sickness. These agents are used for their diuretic effect only if edema is accompanied by significant metabolic alkalosis. 

Acetazolamide, others Inhibition of the enzyme prevents dehydration of H2CO3 and hydration of CO2 Reduces reabsorption of HC03 in the kidney, causing self-limited diuresis hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis reduces body pH, reduces intraocular pressure Glaucoma, mountain sickness, edema with alkalosis Oral and topical preparations available duration of action 8-12 h Toxicity Metabolic acidosis, renal stones, hyperammonemia in cirrhotics... 

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