Acetazolamide
About Acetazolamide
Acetazolamide is used to treat glaucoma (increased eye pressure), oedema (fluid retention), and epilepsy (seizures/fits). It is also used to reduce the severity and duration of altitude/mountain sickness symptoms.
Acetazolamide contains acetazolamide, which inhibits an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. This action lowers the production of fluid (aqueous humour) in the eye, thereby lowering eye pressure. It also helps reduce fluid retention in the body. Additionally, it reduces abnormal nerve activity in the brain, helping to treat epilepsy.
Acetazolamide can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor. Swallow it whole with a glass of water, and do not crush or chew it. Acetazolamide may sometimes cause common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, and increased urination. Please talk to your doctor if any side effects persist or worsen.
Inform your doctor about your health condition and any other medicines you are taking before starting Acetazolamide to prevent potential side effects or interactions. Avoid taking Acetazolamide if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Uses of Acetazolamide
Medicinal Benefits
Acetazolamide offers the following medicinal benefits:
For glaucoma:
- Decreases the production of fluid (aqueous humour) in the eye
- Lowers intraocular pressure in the eye.
- Used as the treatment of choice for glaucoma that does not respond adequately to other therapies.
For oedema:
- Reduces swelling caused by excess fluid buildup in people with congestive heart failure.
- Treat drug-induced oedema (fluid retention caused by certain medications).
For epilepsy:
- Used as an adjunctive therapy for certain types of seizures, such as tonic-clonic and absence seizures.
- Helps slow down abnormal nerve activity in the brain nerve cells, thereby helping to control seizures.
For Mountain Sickness:
- Reduces the severity and shortens the duration of mountain sickness symptoms, such as headache, stomach upset, fatigue, shortness of breath, drowsiness, and dizziness.
Directions for Use
- Acetazolamide can be taken with or without food. However, taking it with food may help prevent stomach upset.
- It is usually taken 2-3 times daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Acetazolamide as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Acetazolamide
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased urination
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Acetazolamide if you are allergic to any of its contents or if you have severe kidney/liver problems, chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma, or Addison’s disease.
- Inform your doctor if you have kidney stones, electrolyte imbalance, adrenal gland problems, diabetes, or heart/lung problems.
- Do not take Acetazolamide if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
- Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
- Acetazolamide is not recommended for children, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
- Acetazolamide may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so wear protective clothing and sunscreen when you go outside.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Acetazolamide may interact with certain medicines, potentially increasing side effects or altering its effects. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Prokinetic agents (Cisapride)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of irregular heart rhythm. - Antipsychotics (Ziprasidone, Droperidol, Pimozide)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm. - Antiarrhythmic agents (Amiodarone, Dronedarone, Dofetilide)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm. - Antiepileptic drugs (Topiramate)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of metabolic acidosis (elevated levels of acid in the blood) and kidney stone formation. - NSAIDs (Sodium salicylate, Salsalate)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of adverse effects, such as ringing in your ears, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing and seizures.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Acetazolamide should be used with caution or avoided in people with:
- Severe kidney or liver problems
- Chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma
- Addison’s disease (adrenal gland does not produce enough hormones)
- Electrolyte imbalance: Low sodium, low potassium, or high chlorine levels.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid or limit alcohol consumption, as it might lead to increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeAcetazolamide belongs to pregnancy category C. Avoid using Acetazolamide if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or are planning for pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will decide if Acetazolamide can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionAcetazolamide might cause dizziness and drowsiness. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Avoid taking Acetazolamide if you have severe liver problems. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Acetazolamide in patients with liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Avoid taking Acetazolamide if you have/had severe kidney problems. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Acetazolamide in patients with kidney impairment.
Children
unsafeAcetazolamide is not recommended for children, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Glaucoma:
- Avoid baked and fried foods, as they may worsen glaucoma and damage the optic nerve.
- Limit coffee intake, as it may increase eye pressure. Opt for green tea instead.
- Avoid exercises where head position is lower than the body (e.g., inverted yoga poses), as this may increase pressure in the eye.
Epilepsy:
- Exercise regularly and get adequate rest and sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Practice meditation and yoga to reduce stress and improve coping skills.
- Identify and avoid seizure triggers, and have a seizure response plan.
- Make adjustments at home to help reduce the risk of injury during a seizure.
- Use alarms or emergency devices to get assistance during a seizure attack.
Oedema:
- Limit salt and refined carbohydrates.
- Include magnesium-rich foods (nuts, dark chocolate), vitamin B6-rich foods (bananas, walnuts), and potassium-rich foods (avocados, tomatoes).
- Regular walking helps reduce fluid retention.
Mountain sickness:
- Ascend gradually to higher altitudes and try not to climb too quickly.
- Stay well-hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Eat foods like fruits, rice, and bread, which provide energy and are easier to digest at high altitudes.
- Rest well for the first 24-48 hours at a new altitude, and gradually increase activity as you adjust.
Special Advise
- If you are due to have any surgery, inform the doctor/surgeon that you are taking Acetazolamide.
- Your doctor may advise frequent blood tests whilst taking Acetazolamide.
- Regular monitoring of serum electrolyte levels is advised.
- Talk to your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Glaucoma: It is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. At first, glaucoma usually has no symptoms except a gradual, slow loss of vision. Some people may notice rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights or have blurred vision.
Epilepsy: It is a chronic neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures. Symptoms can include mood changes, anxiety, headache, muscle jerks and spasms, loss of balance, teeth clenching, rapid blinking or eye movements, biting the tongue, and loss of consciousness.
Oedema: It is a condition in which fluids accumulate in the body's tissues. Symptoms include bloating, weight fluctuations, puffiness of the face, abdomen, and hips, and swollen legs, ankles, and feet.
Mountain sickness: Also known as altitude sickness, this condition is caused by lower oxygen levels and reduced air pressure at high altitudes. It affects mountain climbers, skiers, hikers, and travellers at high altitudes. Symptoms include nausea, headache, shortness of breath, and inability to exercise.
FAQs
Acetazolamide is used to treat glaucoma (increased eye pressure), oedema (fluid retention), and epilepsy (seizures/fits). It is also used to reduce the severity and duration of altitude/mountain sickness symptoms.
Acetazolamide is used as an adjunct in the treatment of epilepsy. It inhibits the carbonic anhydrase enzyme; this helps retard abnormal, excessive discharge from central nervous system neurons, thereby helping treat seizures.
Acetazolamide promotes diuresis of abnormal fluid retention due to congestive heart failure. Fluid retention or oedema is the accumulation of fluid in the body tissues.
Acetazolamide helps reduce the severity and duration of symptoms of altitude/mountain sickness, such as headache, stomach upset, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Acetazolamide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Acetazolamide.
Acetazolamide might make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Avoid unnecessary and prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses whilst going out.
Acetazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase enzyme. This inhibitory action decreases the secretion of aqueous humour, thereby lowering intraocular pressure and helping treat glaucoma.
Yes, you can take Acetazolamide after cataract surgery if it is prescribed by your eye doctor. Acetazolamide is sometimes used prophylactically to prevent increased intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery. So, if your doctor recommends it, it's safe to use as directed.
The common side effects of Acetazolamide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, and increased urination. Most of these side effects are mild and temporary, and they often resolve on their own without requiring medical attention. However, if the side effects persist or worsen over time, it's important to consult your doctor.
Acetazolamide works by inhibiting the carbonic anhydrase enzyme, which has several effects on the body. It decreases aqueous humor secretion, lowers intraocular pressure, and treats glaucoma. It also reduces abnormal neuron discharge in the central nervous system, helping treat epilepsy. Additionally, it decreases fluid retention by reducing carbonic anhydrase activity, making it effective in treating oedema.
Certain individuals may not take Acetazolamide, including those with end-stage kidney or liver problems, eye conditions, electrolyte imbalances, and allergies to any components present in Acetazolamide. Additionally, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy, it's essential to discuss your options with your doctor. They will help you make an informed decision and ensure your safety. Before starting Acetazolamide, sharing your medical history with your doctor is crucial to ensure it's safe for you.
Acetazolamide is effective when used as directed by your doctor. It is used to treat glaucoma, fluid retention (oedema), epilepsy (seizures), and mountain sickness. While it's effective, you may experience common side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, and increased urination. Most of these side effects are mild and temporary, but if they persist or worsen, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Be sure to consult your doctor before using Acetazolamide! It is important to follow their advice and complete the treatment course as recommended. Stopping suddenly or prematurely may lead to decreased effectiveness or other issues. Your doctor will help you determine when it's safe to stop using Acetazolamide. Consult them before making any changes to your treatment.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
