Renal excretion of fluid, electrolytes and hydrogen ions before and during diamox administration in healthy Nigerians.

Twenty-four urine specimens of eleven healthy Nigerians taken during the cool rainy season, were examined before and during diamox (acetazolamide) administration. Mean control volume-output was 1.4 litres containing 109.5 mEq Na+, 46.6 mEq K+ and 120 mEq Cl- ions. Total renal acid excretion was 36.82 partitioned as 14.72 mEq titratable buffer-acid and 22.1 mEq ammonia. During diamox intake, volume-output increased to 2.56 litres with Na+ and K+ contents of 222.4 and 107 mEq respectively, whilst Cl- ions, fell to 2.6 mEq. Daily renal acid excretion was reduced by 25% and titratable buffer acid was absent in most samples but ammonia excretion showed a wide scatter with a range of 6.5-60.8 mEq. The probable explanations for the lower potassium and total acid excretions during the control period as well as the pattern of ammonia excretion during diamox therapy are discussed.