Acetazolamide for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: An Up-to-Date Review in 2025

Jaffer Naqvi,1 Michael Wall,1 Sophia M Chung,1 Matthew Thurtell,1 Edward Linton,1,2 Adriana Rodriguez-Barrath,1,3 Randy Kardon1,2 1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Neuro-Ophthalmology Division, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA; 2Department of Veterans Affairs, Iowa City Health Care System (Surgery Division) and the Iowa City Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, IA, USA; 3Department of Veterans Affairs, Iowa City Health Care System (Neurology Division) and the Iowa City Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City, IA, USARandy Kardon, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Neuro-Ophthalmology Division, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52240, Iowa City, IA, USA, Email [email protected]: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is characterized by elevated intracranial pressure in the absence of secondary causes. The treatment of IIH entails a combination of lifestyle modifications, medical therapy, and surgical intervention. This article aims to evaluate the role of acetazolamide in the treatment of IIH and identify its mechanism of action, efficacy, and side effect profile. This article also aims to discuss acetazolamide’s role in conjunction with other treatment modalities.Keywords: acetazolamide, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, papilledema