Diamox vs. Lasix

• Are Diamox and Lasix the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Diamox?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lasix?
• What is Diamox?
• What is Lasix?
• What Drugs Interact with Diamox?
• What Drugs Interact with Lasix?
• How Should Diamox Be Taken?
• How Should Lasix Be Taken?

Diamox Sequels (acetazolamide) and Lasix (furosemide) are used to treat congestive heart failure.

Diamox Sequels is also used to treat glaucoma and to treat and to prevent acute mountain sickness (altitude sickness) and as a part of some treatment plans for seizure disorders.

Lasix is also used as a strong diuretic in adults and children to treat excessive fluid accumulation (edema) caused by liver failure, renal failure, and nephritic syndrome. Lasix may be used with antihypertensive drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension).

Diamox Sequels and Lasix belong to different drug classes. Diamox is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and Lasix is an anthranilic acid derivative.

Common side effects of Diamox include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness, and
• an increased amount of urine, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication.

Other side effects of Diamox Sequels include:

• blurred vision or changes in vision,
• dry mouth,
• drowsiness,
• loss of appetite,
• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• changes in taste,
• headache,
• tiredness,
• drowsiness,
• fatigue,
• weakness,
• nervousness,
• mild tremor,
• confusion,
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight,
• worsening gout,
• loss of blood sugar control (if you are diabetic), or
• ringing in your ears or hearing problems.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Diamox Sequels including:

• increased body hair,
• hearing loss,
• unusual tiredness,
• persistent nausea or vomiting, or
• severe stomach or abdominal pain.

Common side effects of Lasix include:

• increased urination,
• thirst,
• muscle cramps,
• itching or rash,
• weakness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain, and
• constipation.

Serious side effects of Lasix include:

• dehydration,
• dark urine,
• clay-colored stools,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• fever,
• jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes),
• electrolyte abnormalities,
• loss of appetite, and
• rapid weight loss.

Diamox Sequels (acetazolamide) is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor used to treat glaucoma and to treat and to prevent acute mountain sickness (altitude sickness). Diamox Sequels is also used as a part of some treatment plans for congestive heart failure and seizure disorders.

Lasix (furosemide) is an anthranilic acid derivative that is used as a strong diuretic in adults and children to treat excessive fluid accumulation (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, and nephritic syndrome. Lasix may be used with antihypertensive drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension).

Diamox Sequels may interact with cyclosporine, primidone, diflunisal, aspirin and other salicylates, or lithium. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Diamox Sequels should be used during pregnancy only if prescribed. This medication passes into breast milk but is unlikely to harm a nursing infant.

Lasix may interact with lithium or steroids.

Lasix may also interact with sucralfate, cisplatin, cyclosporine, ethacrynic acid, methotrexate, phenytoin, antibiotics, heart or blood pressure medications, laxatives, or salicylates such as aspirin.

To treat glaucoma, the recommended dosage of Diamox Sequels is 1 capsule (500 mg) two times a day. To treat acute mountain sickness, dosage is 500 mg to 1000 mg daily, in divided doses using tablets or extended-release capsules as appropriate.

Lasix is available in tablet (20 to 80 mg) and IV forms. Dosage is determined by the patient's physician and varies according to how much fluid and how fast the fluid should be removed. Patients with poor renal function usually require higher doses; doses in children are weight-based. Lasix may interact with sucralfate, cisplatin, cyclosporine, ethacrynic acid, lithium, methotrexate, phenytoin, antibiotics, heart or blood pressure medications, laxatives, salicylates such as aspirin, or steroids. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Lasix; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. Lasix passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Lasix may also slow breast milk production. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.