Tag: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension

According to the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial (IIHTT) published in 2014, adding acetazolamide to a weight-reduction diet resulted in greater improvements in visual function for patients with mild vision loss than diet alone. This evidence solidified the role of acetazolamide as the most commonly used pharmaceutical to treat IIH (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension) by reducing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production. The treatment of IIH often involves a combination of medical management, weight loss, and, in severe cases, surgical intervention.

First-line pharmacological treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension often includes acetazolamide, a medication widely used for its ability to reduce intracranial pressure. But **can acetazolamide decrease intracranial pressure** and how effective is it? The answer is a resounding yes, primarily by inhibiting the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in the brain's choroid plexus to reduce cerebrospinal fluid production.

According to the landmark Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial (IIHTT), a combination of acetazolamide and a low-sodium weight-reduction diet resulted in modestly significant visual field improvements for patients with mild visual loss. This makes acetazolamide a cornerstone of medical therapy for IIH.

Acetazolamide is a versatile medication, with FDA-approved uses for conditions ranging from glaucoma to altitude sickness [1.8.4]. But with its diverse applications, the key question for patients remains: How do I know if acetazolamide is working effectively for my specific condition?

While often associated with fluid reduction, spironolactone has a more complex relationship with brain pressure than is widely known. It is sometimes used to *lower* intracranial pressure (ICP) in conditions like idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), yet a rare case report documented that **spironolactone increased intracranial pressure** in a susceptible patient.