Dichlorphenamide (By mouth)
dye-klor-FEN-a-mide
Treats inherited muscle disorders.
Drug classes
Antiglaucoma, Cardiovascular Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Dichlorphenamide is used to treat inherited muscle disorders, such as primary hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, primary hypokalemic periodic paralysis, and related variants. This medicine is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not use this medicine together with high-dose aspirin.
Some medicines can affect how dichlorphenamide works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
Low-dose aspirin, penicillin, theophylline Diuretic (water pill) Medicine to treat fungal infections LaxativesWhen Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to dichlorphenamide or sulfa drugs.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, adrenal gland problems, or lung disease.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Low potassium levels Metabolic acidosis (too much acid in your blood)This medicine may make you feel dizzy, drowsy, or more tired. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Confusion, muscle spasms or twitching
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, uneven heartbeat
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
Trouble breathing
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
Yellow skin or eyes
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Change in sense of taste
Nausea, weight loss
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Keveyis
There may be other brand names for this medicine.