Treatment of psychogenic polydipsia with acetazolamide: a report of 5 cases

Clin Neuropharmacol. 2011 Jan-Feb;34(1):5-7. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0b013e318205070b.

Abstract

Objective: Psychogenic polydipsia occurs frequently in patients with chronic psychiatric illness and is often unmanageable. We herein report 5 patients in whom acetazolamide was trialed for this symptom.

Methods: We encountered a case in which polydipsia improved with incidental administration of acetazolamide. We then used this treatment for 4 additional cases of treatment-resistant psychogenic polydipsia, some of which were accompanied by hyponatremia.

Results: Acetazolamide improved polydipsia and/or hyponatremia in 4 of the 5 cases. This treatment was well tolerated and allowed 3 of the patients to permanently leave isolation.

Conclusion: Acetazolamide appears to have a beneficial effect in psychogenic polydipsia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetazolamide / therapeutic use*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / psychology
  • Drinking / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyponatremia / drug therapy*
  • Hyponatremia / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Somatoform Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Thirst / drug effects*
  • Water Intoxication / drug therapy
  • Water Intoxication / psychology

Substances

  • Acetazolamide