What medications are used for treating IIH?
Treatment is directed at lowering the intracranial pressure.
Acetazolamide
Diamox (acetazolamide) is the most common medication used for treating IIH. It is thought to lower brain pressure by reducing fluid (cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF) production. Research shows that Diamox significantly improves vision, papilledema, quality of life and CSF pressure.
Common side-effects of Diamox include:
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Tingling of fingers and toes
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Loss of appetite
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Metallic taste when drinking fizzy drinks (carbonated beverages)
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Tiredness (fatigue)
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Kidney stones may occur in rare cases (2-3%)
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Please click the patient information sheet below for further detailed information.
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If you are not able to take acetazolamide, your doctor may prescribe another medication called Topamax (topiramate) which may help the headache and also assists with weight loss. Side effects of Topamax may include mild slowing of thought processing.
Topiramate
Topamax (topiramate) is another commonly used medication in the treatment.Topiramate is a medication more commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy but is also very good at treating migraine headaches.
It has a similar effect to Diamox. It works by reducing the production of brain (cerebrospinal) fluid. Secondly, it modulates the chemical balance within the brain, similar to the treatment of epilepsy, which helps to improve headaches. Thirdly, this medication suppresses appetite, and thus it is a weight-loss medication.
The medication has a low potential for interactions. The medication is removed via the kidneys, with caution required for patients with kidney disease, and there is a small increased risk of kidney stones.
Side-effects
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Poor concentration
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Tingling of fingers and toes
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Changes in mood
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Difficulty sleeping
Please click the patient information sheet for further information.