NEPTAZANE (methazolamide), a sulfonamide derivative, is a white crystalline powder, weakly acidic, slightly soluble in water, alcohol and acetone. The chemical name for methazolamide is: N -[5-(aminosulfonyl)-3-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2 (3 H )-ylidene]-acetamide. Its molecular weight is 236.26. Its chemical formula is C 5 H 8 N 4 O 3 S 2 .
NEPTAZANE is available for oral administration as 25 mg and 50 mg tablets containing the following inactive ingredients: Acacia, Alginic Acid, Corn Starch, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Gelatin, and Magnesium Stearate.
Clinical Pharmacology: NEPTAZANE is a potent inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase.
NEPTAZANE is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Peak plasma concentrations are observed 1 to 2 hours after dosing. In a multiple-dose, pharmacokinetic study, administration of NEPTAZANE 25 mg BID, 50 mg BID, and 100 mg BID demonstrated a linear relationship between plasma methazolamide levels and NEPTAZANE dose. Peak plasma concentrations (C max ) for the 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg BID regimens were 2.5 mcg/mL, 5.1 mcg/mL, and 10.7 mcg/mL, respectively. The areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) were 1130 mcg.min/mL, 2571 mcg.min/mL, and 5418 mcg.min/mL for the 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg dosage regimens, respectively.
NEPTAZANE is distributed throughout the body including the plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, aqueous humor of the eye, red blood cells,bile and extra-cellular fluid. The mean apparent volume of distribution (V area /F) ranges from 17 to 23 L. Approximately 55% is bound to plasma proteins. The steady-state NEPTAZANE red blood cell: plasma ratio varies with dose and was found to be 27:1, 16:1, and 10:1 following the administration of NEPTAZANE 25 mg BID, 50 mg BID and 100 mg BID, respectively.
The mean steady-state plasma elimination half-life for NEPTAZANE is approximately 14 hours. At steady-state approximately 25% of the dose is recovered unchanged in the urine over the dosing interval. Renal clearance accounts for 20-25% of the total clearance of drug. After repeated BID-TID dosing, NEPTAZANE accumulates to steady state concentrations in 7 days.
Methazolamide' inhibitory action on carbonic anhydrase decreases the secretion of aqueous humor and results in a decrease in intraocular pressure. The onset of the decrease in intraocular pressure generally occurs within two to four hours, has a peak effect in six to eight hours, and a total duration of ten to eighteen hours.
NEPTAZANE is a sulfonamide derivative; however, it does not have any clinically significant antimicrobial properties. Although NEPTAZANE achieves a high concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid, it is not considered an effective anticonvulsant.
NEPTAZANE has a weak and transient diuretic effect, therefore use results in an increase in urinary volume, with excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride. The drug should not be used as a diuretic. Inhibition of renal bicarbonate reabsorption produces an alkaline urine. Plasma bicarbonate decreases, and a relative, transient metabolic acidosis may occur due to a disequilibrium in carbon dioxide transport in the red cell. Urinary citrate excretion is decreased by approximately 40% after doses of 100 mg every 8 hours. Uric acid output has been shown to decrease 36% in the first 24 hour period.
and Usage: NEPTAZANE is indicated in the treatment of ocular conditions where lowering intraocular pressure is likely to be of therapeutic benefit, such as chronic open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and preoperatively in acute angle-closure glaucoma where lowering the intraocular pressure is desired before surgery.
Contraindications: NEPTAZANE therapy is contraindicated in situations in which sodium and/or potassium serum levels are depressed, in cases of marked kidney or liver disease or dysfunction, in adrenal gland failure, and in hyperchloremic acidosis. In patients with cirrhosis, use may precipitate the development of hepatic encephalopathy.
Long-term administration of NEPTAZANE is contraindicated in patients with angle-closure glaucoma, since organic closure of the angle may occur in spite of lowered intraocular pressure.
: Fatalities have occurred, although rarely, due to severe reactions to sulfonamides including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias. Hypersensitivity reactions may recur when a sulfonamide is readministered, irrespective of the route of administration.
If hypersensitivity or other serious reactions occur, the use of this drug should be discontinued.
Caution is advised for patients receiving high-dose aspirin and NEPTAZANE concomitantly, as anorexia, tachypnea, lethargy, coma, and death have been reported with concomitant use of high-dose aspirin and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
General
Potassium excretion is increased initially upon administration of NEPTAZANE and in patients with cirrhosis or hepatic insufficiency could precipitate a hepatic coma.
In patients with pulmonary obstruction or emphysema, where alveolar ventilation may be impaired NEPTAZANE should be used with caution because it may precipitate or aggravate acidosis.
Information for Patients
Adverse reactions common to all sulfonamide derivatives may occur: anaphylaxis, fever, rash (including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis), crystalluria, renal calculus, bone marrow depression, thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis. Precaution is advised for early detection of such reactions and the drug should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.
Caution is advised for patients receiving high-dose aspirin and NEPTAZANE concomitantly.
Laboratory Tests
To monitor for hematologic reactions common to all sulfonamides, it is recommended that a baseline CBC and platelet count be obtained on patients prior to initiating NEPTAZANE therapy and at regular intervals during therapy. If significant changes occur, early discontinuance and institution of appropriate therapy are important. Periodic monitoring of serum electrolytes is also recommended.
NEPTAZANE should be used with caution in patients on steroid therapy because of the potential for developing hypokalemia.
Caution is advised for patients receiving high-dose aspirin and NEPTAZANE concomitantly, as anorexia, tachypnea, lethargy, coma, and death have been reported with concomitant use of high-dose aspirin and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (see ).
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Long-term studies in animals to evaluate NEPTAZANE's carcinogenic potential and its effect on fertility have not been conducted. NEPTAZANE was not mutagenic in the Ames bacterial test.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects. Pregnancy Category C.
NEPTAZANE has been shown to be teratogenic (skeletal anomalies) in rats when given in doses approximately 40 times the human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. NEPTAZANE should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing Mothers
It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from NEPTAZANE, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
The safety and effectiveness of NEPTAZANE in pediatric patients have not been established.
Adverse Reactions: Adverse reactions, occurring most often early in therapy, include paresthesias, particularly a "tingling" feeling in the extremities; hearing dysfunction or tinnitus; fatigue; malaise; loss of appetite; taste alteration; gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; polyuria; and occasional instances of drowsiness and confusion.
Metabolic acidosis and electrolyte imbalance may occur.
Transient myopia has been reported. This condition invariably subsides upon diminution or discontinuance of the medication.
Other occasional adverse reactions include urticaria, melena, hematuria, glycosuria, hepatic insufficiency, flaccid paralysis, photosensitivity, convulsions, and rarely, crystalluria and renal calculi. Also see Precautions : Information for Patients for possible reactions common to sulfonamide derivatives. Fatalities have occurred, although rarely, due to severe reactions to sulfonamides including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias (see ).
Overdosage: No data are available regarding NEPTAZANE overdosage in humans as no cases of acute poisoning with this drug have been reported. Animal data suggest that even a high dose of NEPTAZANE is nontoxic. No specific antidote is known. Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.
Electrolyte imbalance, development of an acidotic state, and central nervous system effects might be expected to occur. Serum electrolyte levels (particularly potassium) and blood pH levels should be monitored.
Supportive measures may be required to restore electrolyte and pH balance.
Dosage and Administration: The effective therapeutic dose administered varies from 50 mg to 100 mg 2-3 times daily. The drug may be used concomitantly with miotic and osmotic agents.
How Supplied: NEPTAZANE® (methazolamide) Tablets, USP, 25 mg, are square white tablets with engraved N2 on one side and embossed large N on the other side, supplied as follows:
NDC 0005-4565-23--Bottle of 100
NEPTAZANE® (methazolamide) Tablets, USP, 50 mg, are round white scored tablets engraved with LL on one side and N above and 1 below the score on the other side, supplied as follows:
NDC 0005-4570-23--Bottle of 100
NEPTAZANE (methazolamide) is not available for parenteral use.
Store at controlled room temperature 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).
Manufactured by:
LEDERLE PHARMACEUTICAL DIVISION
American Cyanamid Company
Pearl River, NY 10965
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