ACETAZOLAMIDE belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors used to treat glaucoma, oedema (fluid retention), epilepsy, and to treat and prevent altitude/mountain sickness. Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system due to disturbed nerve cell activity in the brain. Fluid retention is a condition in which fluids are accumulated in the body tissues.
ACETAZOLAMIDE contains ‘acetazolamide’, which inhibits carbonic anhydrase enzyme. This inhibitory action decreases the secretion of aqueous humour, thereby lowers intraocular pressure. ACETAZOLAMIDE inhibits the carbonic anhydrase enzyme; this helps retard abnormal, excessive discharge from central nervous system neurons, thereby helps treat certain dysfunctions of the central nervous system such as epilepsy. ACETAZOLAMIDE reduces the activity of carbonic anhydrase, thereby helps lower fluid retention.
You are advised to take ACETAZOLAMIDE for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, and increased urination. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
Avoid taking ACETAZOLAMIDE if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. ACETAZOLAMIDE is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. ACETAZOLAMIDE might cause dizziness and drowsiness; so, drive only if you are alert. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and the medicines you are taking to prevent any side effects/interactions.
Glaucoma, Fluid retention/oedema, Epilepsy/seizures, Mountain sickness.
ACETAZOLAMIDE belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors used to treat glaucoma, oedema (fluid retention), epilepsy, and to treat and prevent altitude/mountain sickness. ACETAZOLAMIDE works by inhibiting the carbonic anhydrase enzyme. This inhibitory action decreases the secretion of aqueous humour, thereby lowering intraocular pressure. ACETAZOLAMIDE inhibits the carbonic anhydrase enzyme; this helps retard abnormal, excessive discharge from central nervous system neurons, thereby helps treat certain dysfunctions of the central nervous system, such as epilepsy. ACETAZOLAMIDE reduces the activity of carbonic anhydrase, thereby helping lower fluid retention. ACETAZOLAMIDE may also be used to treat muscle weakness/periodic paralysis and to lower the increased pressure in the areas surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
Do not take ACETAZOLAMIDE if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you have severe kidney/liver problems, chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma, Addison’s disease, if you have low sodium and/or potassium levels or high chlorine levels. Inform your doctor if you have lung problems, kidney stones, electrolyte imbalance, adrenal gland problems, diabetes, or heart problems. Avoid taking ACETAZOLAMIDE if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. ACETAZOLAMIDE is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. ACETAZOLAMIDE might cause dizziness and drowsiness; so, drive only if you are alert. ACETAZOLAMIDE might make your skin sensitive to sunlight; therefore, wear protective clothing and sunscreen whilst going out.
Drug-Drug Interactions: ACETAZOLAMIDE may have interaction with cardiac glycoside (digoxin), blood thinner (warfarin), anti-diabetic (metformin, gliclazide), anti-convulsant (phenytoin, primidone, carbamazepine, topiramate), steroid (prednisolone), anti-glaucoma agents (dorzolamide, brinzolamide), anti-arrhythmic (quinidine), anti-maniac (lithium), immunosuppressant (ciclosporin), alkalinizing agent (sodium bicarbonate), and anti-hypertensive medicines.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have severe kidney/liver problems, chronic non-congestive angle-closure glaucoma, Addison’s disease, low sodium and/or potassium levels, or high chlorine levels.
Avoid or limit alcohol consumption as it might lead to increased drowsiness.
ACETAZOLAMIDE belongs to pregnancy category C. Avoid using ACETAZOLAMIDE if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will decide if ACETAZOLAMIDE can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
ACETAZOLAMIDE might cause dizziness and drowsiness. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Dose 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.
Dose 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.
ACETAZOLAMIDE is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
GLAUCOMA:
EPILEPSY:
FLUID RETENTION:
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. If it is not treated in time, it may cause blindness. Usually, there are no symptoms for glaucoma initially, except the slow loss of vision gradually. However, some symptoms include visible rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights or blurred vision. Rarely, glaucoma can develop suddenly with intense pain in the eye, visual disturbance or nausea.
Epilepsy/Seizures: Seizures, also known as fits or convulsions, are a single occurrence of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, whereas epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Symptoms include mood changes, anxiousness, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, muscle jerking, spasms, loss of balance, teeth clenching, rapid blinking or eye movements, biting the tongue, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Fluid retention/oedema: It is a condition in which fluids are accumulated in the body tissues. Symptoms include bloating, weight fluctuations, puffiness of the face, abdomen, and hips, and swollen legs, ankles, and feet.