A Case of Oliguric Acute Renal Failure Caused by Acetazolamide / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor commonly used to treat glaucoma. It can cause metabolic acidosis and renal failure in the elderly and patients with chronic renal insufficiency. We report oliguric acute renal failure (ARF) caused by a conventional dose of acetazolamide for glaucoma in a patient with normal renal function. A 56-year-old woman with 20-year history of diabetes had general weakness, decreased urine output, nausea, and vomiting for 3 days. For the past 2 weeks, her glaucoma had been treated with acetazolamide. Blood-gas analysis showed pH 7.02, PCO2 27 mmHg, PO2 135 mmHg, and HCO3- 7.0 mmol/L. Her BUN was 65 mg/dL and creatinine, 9.1 mg/dL. She recovered after hemodialysis and hydration. Acetazolamide may cause severe ARF, even in patients with normal renal function, suggesting the importance of careful monitoring of renal function in patients taking acetazolamide.