Diamox

Generic name: Acetazolamide

What are acetazolamide tablets?

ACETAZOLAMIDE (Diamox®) helps to treat glaucoma, certain types of epilepsy or seizure disorders. It can also help mountain climbers who get altitude or mountain sickness. Generic acetazolamide tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Addison's disease (underactive adrenal gland)
• blood disorders or disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low levels of sodium or potassium in the blood
• lung disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to acetazolamide, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take acetazolamide tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take acetazolamide with food if it upsets your stomach. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. If you are taking acetazolamide for mountain sickness, take the first dose 24 to 48 hours before you start the climb. Continue to take it while at high altitude.

If you are unable to swallow the tablets, a liquid can be made by softening (or crushing) a tablet in 2 teaspoonfuls of water and adding 2 teaspoonfuls of honey or syrup. This liquid should be made just before the dose is taken.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with acetazolamide?

• amphotericin B
• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
• carbamazepine
• ciprofloxacin
• dextroamphetamine
• ephedrine
• lithium
• mecamylamine
• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
• methenamine
• mexiletine
• phenytoin
• quinidine
• steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone
• water pills

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking acetazolamide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blood in urine, pain or difficulty passing urine
• black tarry stools
• confusion or mental depression
• dark yellow or brown urine, pale stools, yellowing of the eyes or skin
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
• dry mouth or increased thirst
• fatigue or severe lack of energy
• fever, sore throat
• lower back pain
• muscle weakness
• ringing in the ears
• seizures (convulsions)
• skin rash, itching
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in taste or smell (metallic taste in mouth, loss of taste and smell)
• diarrhea
• drowsiness
• headache
• increased sensitivity of eyes to light
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands, fingers, feet, toes, mouth, lips, tongue, or anus
• passing urine more often
• weight loss

What should I watch for while taking acetazolamide?

Ask your prescriber or health care professional about your potassium level. It is important not to have too little or too much potassium. You may need to take a potassium supplement or eat foods that are high in potassium if acetazolamide is making your body lose too much potassium.

Do not stop taking acetazolamide suddenly if you are taking it to prevent seizures. Your prescriber or health care professional may want you to reduce your dose gradually.

You may get drowsy; until you know how acetazolamide affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness.

Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible kidney problems.

If you are diabetic, monitor blood and urine sugar and ketones regularly. Acetazolamide can increase sugar levels. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any changes.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (50 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.