What medications are prescribed for HypoKPP?
The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ‘Diamox’ (acetazolomide) is often prescribed for HypoKPP patients. This medication helps keep the potassium from getting out of balance in the first place, by affecting the mechanism that pumps potassium from the blood into the cell. A similar drug called Daranide (diclorphenamide) is far more potent, and often works on patients who respond poorly to Diamox, or on patients who have been on Diamox many years and have become resistant to its effects. About 25% of patients do not respond to Diamox and must be put on other drugs. Patients who take carbonic anhydrase inhibitors must be alert to potentially dangerous drug interactions as they slow the excretion of other drugs from the system. Avoid large doses of aspirin when taking Diamox or Daranide.
