The use of acetazolamide in idiopathic intracranial hypertension during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the pregnancy outcomes after the use of acetazolamide in pregnant patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
setting: Two tertiary care academic neuro-ophthalmology units. patient population: Patients with IIH treated with acetazolamide. observation procedure: Documentation of pregnancy outcome. main outcome measures: Normal pregnancy, fetal loss, or congenital malformation.


RESULTS
Twelve patients were treated with acetazolamide for IIH during pregnancy, and there were no adverse pregnancy outcomes. A critical review of the English language literature on the subject failed to demonstrate any convincing evidence for any adverse effect on pregnancy for acetazolamide.


CONCLUSIONS
Acetazolamide at high doses may produce birth defects in animals, but there is little clinical or experimental evidence to support any adverse effect of the drug on pregnancy outcomes in humans. If the clinical situation warrants the use of acetazolamide in IIH, then the drug probably can be offered after appropriate informed consent.
Lee
Andrew G
AG
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, PFP, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. andrew-lee@uiowa.edu
Pless
Misha
M
Falardeau
Julie
J
Capozzoli
Tammy
T
Wall
Michael
M
Kardon
Randy H
RH
D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011559:Pseudotumor Cerebri / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D000086:Acetazolamide