Dichlorphenamide
Also known as: Daranide, Antidrasi, Fenamide, Glaucol, Glauconide, Glaumid, Oralcon, Oratrol, Tensodilen
* **Administration**: Give this medication exactly as prescribed. If your pet experiences stomach upset (vomiting or loss of appetite), try giving the dose with a small meal or treat. * **What to Watch For**: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice: * Unusual bleeding or bruising (could indicate bone marrow suppression). * Muscle tremors, weakness, or severe lethargy (signs of low potassium). * Skin rashes or excessive panting. * **Follow-up**: Regular check-ups are crucial to monitor your pet's eye pressure (glaucoma) and blood work (electrolytes and blood cell counts). > **Note**: This medication is often custom-made (compounded) since commercial tablets are rarely available. Ensure you get refills well in advance.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Adjunctive treatment of glaucoma
- Adjunctive treatment of glaucoma
- Adjunctive treatment of glaucoma
- Adjunctive treatment of glaucoma
- Adjunctive treatment of glaucoma
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Panting
- GI disturbances (inappetence, vomiting, diarrhea)
- CNS effects (sedation, depression, excitement)
- Hematologic effects (bone marrow depression)
- Renal effects (crystalluria, dysuria, renal colic, polyuria)
- Metabolic acidosis
- Hypokalemia
- Hyperglycemia
- Hyponatremia
- Hyperuricemia
- Hepatic insufficiency
- Dermatologic effects (rash)
- Hypersensitivity reactions
Cautions & contraindications
- Significant hepatic disease (may precipitate hepatic coma)
- Renal or adrenocortical insufficiency
- Hyponatremia
- Hypokalemia
- Hyperchloremic acidosis
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Severe pulmonary obstruction (unable to increase alveolar ventilation)
- Hypersensitivity to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
- Chronic, noncongestive, angle-closure glaucoma (long-term use)
- > **Warning**: Long-term use is contraindicated in patients with chronic, noncongestive, angle-closure glaucoma as it may mask the condition by lowering IOP while angle closure progresses. * Use with extreme caution in patients with pre-existing electrolyte imbalances (especially hypokalemia or hyponatremia). * May precipitate hepatic coma in patients with severe liver disease. * Avoid in patients with severe pulmonary obstruction who cannot increase alveolar ventilation to compensate for metabolic acidosis. * **Pregnancy Category C**: Teratogenic effects observed in animal studies; use only if benefits outweigh risks. * **Laboratory Interference**: May cause false-positive results for urine protein using certain test methods (e.g., bromphenol blue, sulfosalicylic acid) due to urine alkalinization. May also decrease iodine uptake by the thyroid gland.
Drug interactions
- Antidepressants, Tricyclic: Alkaline urine caused by dichlorphenamide may decrease excretion of tricyclic antidepressants.
- Aspirin (or other salicylates): Increased risk of dichlorphenamide accumulation and toxicity; increased risk for metabolic acidosis; dichlorphenamide increases salicylate excretion.
- Digoxin: Dichlorphenamide may cause hypokalemia, leading to an increased risk for digoxin toxicity.
- Insulin: Rarely, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors interfere with the hypoglycemic effects of insulin.
- Methenamine compounds: Dichlorphenamide may negate the effects of methenamine in the urine due to alkalinization.
- Potassium-depleting drugs (corticosteroids, amphotericin B, corticotropin, diuretics): Concomitant use may exacerbate potassium depletion.
- Phenobarbital: Increased urinary excretion, which may reduce phenobarbital levels.
- Primidone: Decreased primidone concentrations.
- Quinidine: Alkaline urine caused by dichlorphenamide may decrease quinidine excretion.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dichlorphenamide used for in pets?
* **Administration**: Give this medication exactly as prescribed. If your pet experiences stomach upset (vomiting or loss of appetite), try giving the dose with a small meal or treat. * **What to Watch For**: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice: * Unusual bleeding or bruising (could indicate bone marrow suppression). * Muscle tremors, weakness, or severe lethargy (signs of low potassium). * Skin rashes or excessive panting. * **Follow-up**: Regular check-ups are crucial to monitor your pet's eye pressure (glaucoma) and blood work (electrolytes and blood cell counts). > **Note**: This medication is often custom-made (compounded) since commercial tablets are rarely available. Ensure you get refills well in advance.
Is Dichlorphenamide safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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