Dichlorphenamide (4 brand names, 1 dosage form, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: TABLET.
Routes of administration: ORAL.
Brand Names
- DARANIDE
- DICHLORPHENAMIDE
- KEVEYIS
- ORMALVI
Indications and Usage
Dichlorphenamide tablets are indicated for the treatment of primary hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, primary hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and related variants.
Contraindications
Dichlorphenamide is contraindicated in the following circumstances: Hypersensitivity to dichlorphenamide or other sulfonamides [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)] Concomitant use of dichlorphenamide and high dose aspirin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2) and Drug Interactions ( 7.1)] Severe pulmonary disease, limiting compensation to metabolic acidosis caused by dichlorphenamide [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4)] Hepatic insufficiency: dichlorphenamide may aggravate hepatic encephalopathy.
Adverse Reactions
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Hypersensitivity and Other Life-Threatening Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1)] Hypokalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3)] Metabolic Acidosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4)] Falls [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5)]
Mechanism of Action
Dichlorphenamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. However, the precise mechanism by which dichlorphenamide exerts its therapeutic effects in patients with primary periodic paralysis is unknown.
Overdosage
Symptoms of overdosage or toxicity may include drowsiness, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ataxia, tremor, and tinnitus. In the event of overdosage, induce emesis or perform gastric lavage. The electrolyte disturbances most likely to be encountered from overdosage are hypokalemia and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis.