dichlorphenamide

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity or cross-sensitivity with sulfonamides;
Severe pulmonary obstruction;
Concurrent use of high-dose aspirin.
Hepatic impairment;

Use Cautiously in:

Concurrent use of low-dose aspirin;
Adrenocortical excess or renal tubular acidosis (↑ risk of hypokalemia);
OB: Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk;
Lactation: Safety not established in breastfeeding;
Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children;
Geri: ↑risk of falls and metabolic acidosis in older adults.

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Derm: pruritus, rash, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME

EENT: pharyngolaryngeal pain

F and E: hyperchloremic non-anion gap metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia

GI: diarrhea, nausea

Hemat: APLASTIC ANEMIA, HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA, LEUKOPENIA

Metab: weight loss

MS: arthralgia, muscle spasms/twitching

Neuro: confusion, drowsiness, dysgeusia, paresthesias, fatigue

Resp: dyspnea

Misc: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS (INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS)

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

May ↑ risk of toxicity of aspirin; concurrent use with high-dose aspirin may result in anorexia, lethargy, and coma and is contraindicated..
Antifungals, laxatives, loop diuretics, penicillin, thiazide diuretics andtheophylline may ↑ risk of hypokalemia.
Drugs that cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis may ↑ risk and severity of metabolic acidosis.
May ↑ levels and risk of toxicity of amphetamines,quinidine, procainamide, and possibly tricyclic antidepressants.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

(Generic available)

Tablets: 50 mg

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

PO (Adults ): 50 mg once or twice daily; titrate according to response (not to exceed 200 mg/day).

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Inhibits renal carbonic anhydrase, resulting in self-limiting urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and water.

Therapeutic effects:

Reduced incidence/severity of muscle weakness associated with periodic paralysis.

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: diuretics

Pharmacologic Classification: carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Well absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-Life: Unknown.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	unknown	unknown

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Explain purpose and side effects of dichlorphenamide. Instruct patient to take as directed. Advise patient to read Patient Information before starting and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
Caution patient to discontinue therapy and notify health care professional is rash or signs/symptoms of allergic reaction occur.
Instruct patient to report signs/symptoms of hypokalemia.
Advise patient to report worsening symptoms of periodic paralysis to health care professional.
May occasionally cause drowsiness. Caution patient to avoid driving and other activities that require alertness until response to the drug is known.
Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult with health care professional before taking other medications, especially aspirin.
Rep: Advise patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding. Monitor newborns of mothers treated with dichlorphenamide for metabolic acidosis.

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Indications ⬇

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇