Teratogenic activity in the mouse after oral administration of acetazolamide.

Acetazolamide was administered orally by gavage to pregnant mice twice a day on days six through 15 of gestation at a dose level of 300.0 mg/kg. This treatment produced maternal toxicity as evidenced by significantly reduced food consumption and body weight gain. Embryotoxicity demonstrated by significant reductions in fetal weight and crown-rump length was also observed. Resorption rates were considerably higher (77.9%) for the acetazolamide treated litters when compared to those from the control group (8.23%). A variety of malformations was observed in the acetazolamice-treated rats (rib and vertebral fusion, gastroschisis, tail defects, cleft palate and ectrodactyly). These results further establish acetazolamide as an acceptable positive teratogenic control by demonstration of species and strain susceptibility in the CD-1 mouse.