THE RESPIRATORY ACTION OF DICHLORPHENAMIDE

Abstract
The action of dichlorphenamide has been investigated in three healthy subjects. After this drug had been given, ventilation increased while alveolar and oxygenated mixed venous Pco2 both fell. The magnitude of these changes was closely related to the degree of acidosis produced by the drug. The effect of intravenous acetazol-amide, tested in one subject, was qualitatively similar to that of orally administered dichlorphenamide. Respiratory responses to carbon dioxide were studied in two of the subjects and in one of them the metabolic acidosis was sufficient to account for the short-term effect of dichlorphenamide on respiration.