Diamox

Brand name:

Diamox.

Acetazolamide is a drug used to treat swelling or edema due to congestive heart failure or to intake of various drugs. It is also used to treat certain kinds of epilepsies, glaucoma and mountain sickness in climbers.

Azetazolamide is available as a tablet or as lyophilized powder to be made into a solution for injection.

Acetazolamide tablets are taken by mouth at a recommended dose of once to four times daily depending on doctor’s discretion. If you are using long-acting capsules, take the medication through the mouth either once or twice daily. You should swallow the capsules whole and do not open, break, or chew the capsules. These oral formulations may be taken with or without food. Take this medication at the same time each day. Use this medication regularly. Your last dose should be taken early in the evening to minimize frequent urination as you sleep.

Acetazolamide IV is given by your health care provider. The dosage is determined by your doctor according to your medical condition. Each 500 mg vial containing sterile acetazolamide sodium should be reconstituted with at least 5 mL of Sterile Water for Injection prior to use.Intramuscular administration is not recommended.

For acetazolamide tablets, if you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Continue to use it as prescribed by your doctor or as stated on the package label.

Interactions

Acetazolamide has a tendency to interact with the following medications:

• Cisapride
• Methenamine
• Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, primidone, phenobarbital, topiramate or zonisamide
• Other diuretics similar to this medication such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (brinzolamide, dorzolamide)
• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• Drugs for diabetes such as glyburide and insulin
• Drugs that cause loss of potassium such as diuretics (furosemide)
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone
• Amphotericin B
• Lithium
• Memantine
• Procainamide
• Quinidine
• Salicylates such as aspirin and bismuth subsalicylate
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Stimulants such as amphetamines and ephedrine
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline

Side Effects

There are no side effects known aside from a possible allergic reaction in people who have previous or unknown hypersensitivity to the drug.

Watch out for signs of allergic reactions such as:

• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling of

Warnings

Before taking acetazolamide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions:

• Allergy to acetazolamide or to other drugs and foods
• Adrenal gland problems such as Addison's disease
• Low blood levels of sodium or potassium
• Severe kidney disease
• Severe liver disease such as cirrhosis
• Certain metabolic problems such as hyperchloremic acidosis
• Breathing problems such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis
• High levels of calcium
• Dehydration
• Diabetes mellitus
• Gout
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism
• Pregnancy and Lactation