Papilledema Medication

  • Author: Mitchell V Gossman, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 15, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Diuretics may be helpful in cases of elevated intracranial pressure. Diamox and other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can decrease the production of CSF.

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Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Class Summary

Can be used in selected cases because they decrease the production of CSF and, thus, lower intracranial pressure.

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Acetazolamide (Diamox, Diamox Sequels)

 

The conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate plays a key role in the production of both aqueous humor and CSF. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors act by inhibiting the conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate, thus inhibiting the production of both aqueous humor and CSF. Dosage should be individualized; most patients cannot tolerate more than 1 g/d because of the adverse effects (eg, dizziness, metallic taste, lethargy, paresthesias). Diamox sequels may be better tolerated than tablets.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

May be useful in cases where inflammatory lesions lead to a secondary elevation in CSF pressure. These drugs are effective in these cases because of their potent anti-inflammatory effects.

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Prednisone (Deltasone)

 

Prednisone, like other corticosteroids, can cause profound and varied metabolic and immunologic effects. Its usefulness in these cases stems from its strong anti-inflammatory properties.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mitchell V Gossman, MD  Partner and Vice President, Eye Surgeons and Physicians, St Cloud

Mitchell V Gossman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Minnesota Medical Association, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Joseph Giovannini, MD  Chief of Ophthalmology, Eye Surgery Center, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base

Joseph Giovannini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Edsel Ing, MD, FRCSC  Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Toronto East General Hospital, Canada

Edsel Ing, MD, FRCSC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brian R Younge, MD  Professor of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

Brian R Younge, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Ophthalmological Society, and North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous coauthor, Georgia Chrousos, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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  8. Nadkarni T, Rekate HL, Wallace D. Resolution of pseudotumor cerebri after bariatric surgery for related obesity. Case report. J Neurosurg. Nov 2004;101(5):878-80. [Medline].

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