The Effect of a Single Oral Dose of the Carbonic

The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazoleamide, (2-acetylamino-1,3,4-thiadazole-5 sulfonamide, 6063, Diamox®), is believed to decrease the exchange of hydrogen for sodium ions in the renal tubule (1). Alkalinization of the urine with sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate diuresis is found after its administration, both in normal people and in patients with cardiac failure (2). Except for the report by Metcoff, James, and Gordillo in nephrosis (3), no data are available concerning the effect of acetazoleamide in primary renal disease. This investigation was undertaken to see if the effect in patients with renal disease was the same as in normal people, and to evaluate any possible therapeutic benefit from the use of the drug. The action of acetazoleamide is believed to be limited to the carbonic anhydrase enzyme system, and this suggested that it could be used to determine the presence of functioning renal carbonic anhydrase. The occurrence of the customary urine changes after administration of acetazoleamide would then indicate the presence of functioning carbonic anhydrase in the kidney.