Uses and Side effects of Acetazolamide

Acetazolamide is used to treat glaucoma, a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision. Acetazolamide decreases the pressure in the eye. Acetazolamide is also used to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms (upset stomach, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue) of altitude (mountain) sickness. Acetazolamide is used with other medicines to reduce edema (excess fluid retention) and to help control seizures in certain types of epilepsy.

Uses

It is used to get rid of extra fluid.
It is used to treat or prevent altitude sickness.
It is used to help control certain kinds of seizures.
It is used to treat glaucoma.
It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Usage

Acetazolamide comes as a tablet and capsule to take by mouth. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take acetazolamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you are taking the extended-release (long-acting) form of acetazolamide (Diamox Sequels), do not crush or chew the capsules.

Special precautions

Before taking acetazolamide,tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acetazolamide, sulfa drugs, diuretics ('water pills'), or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amphetamines, aspirin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), medications for depression or irregular heartbeat, diflunisal (Dolobid), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ('water pills'), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), and vitamins.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease; or diabetes.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking acetazolamide, call your doctor immediately.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking acetazolamide.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Acetazolamide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Side effects

Acetazolamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
upset stomach
vomiting
loss of appetite

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

numbness and tingling
increased thirst and urination
drowsiness
headache
confusion
fever
rash
blood in urine
painful urination
yellowing of the skin or eyes
seizures
sore throat
unusual bleeding or bruising.