Teratogenic action of acetazolamide in mice

Sodium acetazolamide, 1 g/kg/day, was given sc to CR mice, in 3 divided doses, every 8 h, on 1, 2, or 3 days, on the 8th to 12th day of gestation. The maternal toxicity and embryolethality of the acetazolamide were weak but its teratogenicity was marked. The most frequent deformities consisted of eyelid abnormalities, exencephaly, and macroglossia. Limb defects also occurred, mostly of the forelimb, especially the right forelimb. Postaxial polydactyly was much more frequent than postaxial ectrodactyly. The results permit the conclusion that in mice cephalic development is not disturbed by acetazolamide after the 10th day of gestation, and that its highest sensitivity to the drug seems to be on the 8th day.