[Effect of acetazolamide on Menière's disease].

The effect of acetazolamide was assessed in 25 patients with Menière's disease. During the test session hearing threshold and plasmatic osmolality were monitored along with fluctuations in hearing loss, fullness, tinnitus and balance. A single, 250 mg dose of acetazolamide was administered to all patients via os early in the morning on an empty stomach. Hearing was tested prior to administration and every hour for five hours thereafter. Plasmatic osmolality was also assessed during the same session. In 52% of this group an improvement in the threshold was seen. The greatest shift was observed two hours after administration of acetazolamide at 250 Hz, whereas the smallest threshold shift corresponded to 2000 Hz. In all cases, plasmatic osmolality remained constant throughout. Of the patients 44% presented an improvement of all or one of the symptoms: hearing loss, tinnitus, fullness, balance. The data were compared with data obtained for a control group (9 patients) which received a placebo while following the same testing criteria. The results of this study suggest that acetazolamide can have a positive effect on endolymphatic hydrops. It should be stressed, therefore, that acetazolamide could be introduced in the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies applied in Menière's disease.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes