Acetazolamide (Brand Name: Diamox) is a "water pill" (diuretic) used to prevent and reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness. Acetazolamide is also used with other medications to treat a certain type of eye problem (open-angle glaucoma). Acetazolamide is available in generic form.
Dosage of Acetazolamide depends on the condition being treated and the patient's response.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Acetazolamide?
Acetazolamide may interact with cisapride, methenamine, anticonvulsants, other diuretics, cyclosporine, digoxin, drugs for diabetes, drugs that cause loss of potassium, lithium, memantine, procainamide, quinidine, aspirin and other salicylates, sodium bicarbonate, stimulants, or tricyclic antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.
Acetazolamide During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Acetazolamide should be used during pregnancy only if prescribed. This medication passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Additional Information
Our Acetazolamide (Brand Name: Diamox) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
Acetazolamide Consumer Information
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, lightheadedness, and an increased amount of urine may occur, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Blurred vision, dry mouth, drowsiness, loss of appetite, stomach upset, headache and tiredness may also occur. If any of these symptoms persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these very unlikely but serious side effects occur: increased body hair, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, unusual tiredness, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, fast/irregular heartbeat, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, difficulty concentrating), severe muscle cramps/pain, tingling of the hands/feet, blood in the urine, dark urine, painful urination, yellowing of the eyes/skin.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: blisters/sores in the mouth, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Adverse reactions, occurring most often early in therapy,
include paresthesias, particularly a “tingling” feeling in the
extremities, hearing dysfunction or tinnitus, loss of appetite, taste alteration and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, polyuria, and occasional instances of drowsiness and confusion.
Transient myopia has been reported. This condition
invariably subsides upon diminution or discontinuance of the medication. Other
occasional adverse reactions include urticaria, melena, hematuria, glycosuria,
hepatic insufficiency, flaccid paralysis, photosensitivity and convulsions.
&Copy; Acetazolamide Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Acetazolamide Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.
