Acetazolamide
Active ingredient description
Acetazolamide is an enzyme inhibitor which acts specifically on carbonic anhydrase. By inhibiting the reaction catalysed by this enzyme in the renal tubules, acetazolamide increases the excretion of bicarbonate and of cations, chiefly sodium and potassium, and so promotes alkaline diuresis. By inhibiting carbonic anhydrase in the eye acetazolamide decreases intra-ocular pressure and is therefore useful in the treatment of glaucoma.
Medicine classification
This medicinal substance has been classified in the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification according to its main therapeutic use as follows:
Product monographs
Competent medicine agencies globally have authorized commercialization of this active ingredient according to these medication package inserts (MPIs):
Medicines
Acetazolamide is the active ingredient of these drugs:
Structural formula
Chemical formula: C₄H₆N₄O₃S₂
Molecular mass: 222.245 g/mol
3D molecular structure