Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Chiefly it is used to treat symptoms of altitude sickness. It prevents hyperventilation, nausea, sick headache and exhaustion resulting from the shortage of oxygen when climbing quickly to high altitudes (above 10,000 feet/3,048 meters). This medicine is also a diuretic and considered effective in the treatment of glaucoma, epileptic attacks, intracranial hypertension, cystinuria, dural ectasia.
Directions
This medicine is taken only in accordance with your doctors’ instructions. You should follow your prescribed dosing schedule strictly as far as the intake of this medication depends on your individual case and personal conditions. Acetazolamide is taken for 1 or 2 days before you are supposed to start climbing. You should continue taking it while you are climbing. Keep your health care professional informed about how you feel while taking this medicine.
Precautions
Consult your chemist health care provider or your doctor if you are prone to allergy or already suffering from any allergic reactions while taking Acetazolamide. Aged patients are more inclined to suffer from an adverse drug response.
Contraindications
This medication is contraindicated to patients suffering from kidney disease, problems with liver or eyes. Avoid taking this medication if you are pregnant or in a period of lactation. There is no information available if acetazolamide can cause any harm to an unborn child, however Acetazolamide passes into breast milk. It is not known whether acetazolamide affects a nursing child, so consult your doctor before you start taking it.
This medicine is not taken if patients have any hypersensitivity to it.
Possible side effect
A severe drug response is not likely to happen. The most regular side effects include vertigo, syncope, frequent urinary excretion, blurred vision, dry mouth, a feeling of somnolency, migraines. In case you have suffered from a severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of lips, tongue, face or throat, hives), immediately seek medical help. You should notify your health care professional if you suffer from any additive side effects not listed above.
Drug interactions
Acetazolamide is able to interact with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs such as cyclosporine and diflunisal; with anticonvulsant drugs used to treat major and partial epilepsy such as primidone; also with other drugs used to relieve pain and fever, to reduce inflammation, and to prevent strokes (aspirin like drugs); with mood-stabilizing drugs such as lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith).
Missed dose
If you have missed your dose, take it as soon as possible. In case it is near the time for the next dose intake, avoid the missed dose and keep your ordinary dosing schedule. Avoid making up the missed dose by taking an extra one.
Overdose
In case you suspect overdosing, immediately seek medical help or inform your health care professional. Overdosing may provoke a feeling of drowsiness, torpidity, hands and feet tingling, sickness, chest pain, syncope, palpitations.
Storage
This medicine is stored at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Avoid storing the drug in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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