Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Carbonic anhydrase is a protein in your
body. Acetazolamide reduces the activity of this protein.
Acetazolamide is used to treat glaucoma and to treat and to prevent acute mountain sickness
(altitude sickness). It is also used as a part of some treatment plans for congestive heart failure and
seizure disorders.
Acetazolamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
Take acetazolamide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take acetazolamide with food if it upsets your stomach.
Store acetazolamide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking acetazolamide
and seek emergency medical attention:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
a sore throat or a fever;
unusual bleeding or bruising;
side or groin pain;
tingling or tremors in your hands or feet; or
a rash.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take acetazolamide and talk to your doctor if you experience
decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or
changes in taste;
drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, or weakness;
nervousness or mild tremor;
headache or confusion;
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight;
worsening gout;
loss of blood sugar control (if you are diabetic);
ringing in your ears or hearing problems; or
changes in your vision.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medicines:
cyclosporine (Sandimmune). Cyclosporine may have more side
effects if it is taken with acetazolamide.
primidone (Mysoline). Primidone may not be as effective if
it is taken with acetazolamide, and seizure control may be reduced.
diflunisal (Dolobid). Diflunisal may increase both the
activity and the side effects of acetazolamide.
aspirin, salsalate (Disalcid, Salflex, Salsitab, others),
choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate (Doan’s, Magan, Mobidin), and other
aspirin-like products (salicylates). These medicines may also interact with acetazolamide, and
special monitoring of your therapy may be necessary.
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others). Acetazolamide may
decrease the level of lithium in your blood. Special monitoring or a dosage adjustment may be
necessary.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acetazolamide.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Acetazolamide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Acetazolamide may increase the sensitivity of
your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is
unavoidable.
Symptoms of an acetazolamide overdose are not well known, but the following symptoms
might be expected: drowsiness, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness or
tingling, shaking, and ringing in the ears.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience a sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding or
bruising, tingling or tremors in your hands or feet, pain in your side or groin, or a rash. These
symptoms could be early signs of a serious side effect.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Acetazolamide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Acetazolamide may increase the sensitivity of
your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is
unavoidable.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a sulfa-based drug such as
sulfamethoxazole (e.g., Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol). Acetazolamide is also a sulfa-based drug, and
you may have a similar reaction to it.
Before taking acetazolamide, tell your doctor if you
are on aspirin therapy,
have liver disease,
have kidney disease,
have heart disease,
have lung disease, or
have a hormonal disease.
You may not be able to take acetazolamide, or you may require a lower
dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Acetazolamide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known
whether acetazolamide will harm an unborn baby. Do not take acetazolamide without first talking to
your doctor if you are pregnant.
Acetazolamide passes into breast milk. It is not known whether acetazolamide will affect
a nursing infant. Do not take acetazolamide without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Acetazolamide is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name
Diamox . Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any
questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
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