What medications are prescribed for PMC?
The medications prescribed depend on the type of PMC the patient has, and if the patient has another type of periodic paralysis as well as PMC. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ‘Diamox’ (acetazolomide) is often prescribed for the other periodic paralyses, but it tends to make many PMC patient’s symptoms worse. Patients who take carbonic anhydrase inhibitors must be alert to potentially dangerous drug interactions as they slow the excretion of other drugs from the system. Avoid large doses of aspirin when taking Diamox or Daranide. Some other commonly used drugs to be cautious with when taking Diamox or daranide include barbiturate medicines used for inducing sleep or treating seizures, the ephedrines (found in some over the counter asthma inhalers) the heart drug Mexitil (mexiletine) which is often prescribed in HyperKPP and PMC for myotonia, steroids and diuretic medications (‘water pills’).
Treatments for PMC must be individualized depending on symptoms. Patients must learn to ‘read’ their symptoms and take the appropriate management steps to lower or raise potassium levels as needed. PMC probably presents the biggest management challenge of all of the periodic paralyses and requires both flexibility and a team approach between patient and physician. The medications prescribed depend on the type of PMC the patient has, and if the patient has another type of periodic paralysis as well as PMC. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor ‘Diamox’ (acetazolomide) is often prescribed for the other periodic paralyses, but may make a PMC patient’s symptoms worse. Diuretics which reduce the level of potassium in the blood are often used in PMC, especially when it is accompanied by HyperKPP. These are drugs like the thiazides (Hydrodiuril, hydrochlorothiazide) or furosemide (Lasix). Florinef is used occasionally when the patient needs to retain sodium and fluid as well as excrete potassium.
