title: Acetazolamide for alkalinisation of urine in patients receiving high-dose methotrexate.
abstract: Acetazolamide, 500 mg 6 hourly, has been used to alkalinise the urine in patients receiving high dose methotrexate. A urinary pH of greater than 7.5 was achieved in every cycle (13 cycles in 10 patients). In 6 cycles a single supplementary dose of sodium bicarbonate was necessary. Plasma methotrexate levels fell satisfactorily at 24 and 48 h. Acetazolamide is a simple and effective method of achieving urinary alkalinisation with advantages over oral and intravenous bicarbonate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, University College, Middlesex School of Medicine, London, U.K.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shamash
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Earl
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Souhami
mesh_terms: D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D000086:Acetazolamide; D008727:Methotrexate