A pilot randomized study on use of oral acetazolamide in patients with refractory dysuria.

PURPOSE: Assessment of daily oral acetazolamide in treatment of refractory dysuria.

METHODS: Forty-one patients were randomly allocated to either be treated with acetazolamide (250 mg twice daily) or to receive placebo. The irritative voiding symptoms and urinary pH were recorded before and after treatment. The quality of life indices including the impact of voiding symptoms on daily and social activities, mood disturbance and sleep disorders were also measured by a questionnaire.

RESULTS: Urinary pH was increased in the group taking acetazolamide (P < 0.001). They also reported alleviation of dysuria (P < 0.001), frequency (P = 0.039) and urgency (P = 0.016). However, nocturia was not improved in the study group. No change was observed in the aforementioned parameters in the placebo group. Daily personal life, social activities and the quality of sleep were improved by 52, 38 and 33%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Oral acetazolamide can reduce the irritative voiding symptoms and improve the quality of life which is concomitant with an increase in urinary pH.