Acetazolamide promotes decreased consumption of carbonated drinks and weight loss. Issue 11 (31st October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muñoz, William; Lamm, Alexandra; Poppers, David; Lamm, Steven
• Is Part Of: Oxford medical case reports. Volume 2018:Issue 11(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-10-31
• Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 616.09
• DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omy081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-8855

Abstract

Abstract: Excessive consumption of carbonated drinks contributes to the dietary surplus of carbohydrates, and is a main driver of the obesity epidemic in the USA. From a public health standpoint, it is therefore crucial to develop strategies that enable individuals to regulate this calorie-rich, but nutrient-poor food intake. However, conservative medical approaches to this end have met with limited success. Using a pharmacological strategy to eliminate the effervescent aspect of carbonated drinks, we report significant weight loss in a patient with long-standing obesity. Administration of low-dose acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, resulted in altered taste of carbonation, and in turn a marked reduction in the patient's carbonated drink intake and the loss of almost 1 kg of body weight per week. The pharmacological intervention also resulted in appetite suppression, which might synergistically contribute to weight loss. These findings point to the use of low-dose acetazolamide as a novel weight reduction strategy.