Hydrocephalus Medication

Updated: Jun 04, 2018
  • Author: Stephen L Nelson, Jr, MD, PhD, FAACPDM, FAAN, FAAP, FANA; Chief Editor: Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

Acetazolamide (ACZ) and furosemide (FUR) treat posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in neonates. Both are diuretics that also appear to decrease secretion of CSF at the level of the choroid plexus. ACZ can be used alone or in conjunction with FUR. The combination enhances efficacy of ACZ in decreasing CSF secretion by the choroid plexus. If ACZ is used alone, it appears to lower risk of nephrocalcinosis significantly.

Medication as treatment for hydrocephalus is controversial. It should be used only as a temporary measure for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in neonates, or when shunting is not possible.

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Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Class Summary

These agents inhibit an enzyme found in many tissues of the body that catalyzes a reversible reaction in which carbon dioxide becomes hydrated and carbonic acid dehydrated. These changes may result in a decrease in CSF production by the choroid plexus.

Acetazolamide (Diamox)

Noncompetitive reversible inhibitor of enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which catalyzes the reaction between water and carbon dioxide, resulting in protons and carbonate. This contributes to decreasing CSF secretion by choroid plexus.

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Loop diuretics

Class Summary

These agents increase excretion of water by interfering with the chloride-binding cotransport system, which results from inhibition of reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the ascending loop of Henle and distal renal tubule.

Furosemide (Lasix)

Mechanisms proposed for lowering ICP include lowering cerebral sodium uptake, affecting water transport into astroglial cells by inhibiting cellular membrane cation-chloride pump, and decreasing CSF production by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase. Used as adjunctive therapy with ACZ in temporary treatment of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in neonates.

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