Acetazolamide: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Acetazolamide?

What is the function of Acetazolamide?

Acetazolamide is a drug used to prevent and reduce symptoms of altitude sickness (altitude sickness). This medication can reduce the headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath that can occur when you rapidly climb to high altitudes (generally above 10,000 feet / 3048 meters).

This remedy is especially useful in situations when you are unable to make a slow hike. The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to climb slowly, stopping for 24 hours while climbing to give your body a chance to adjust to the new altitude, and staying relaxed for the first one to two days.

This medication is also used with other medicines to treat a certain type of eye problem (open angle glaucoma). Acetazolamide is a type of diuretic drug that can reduce fluid buildup, in this case in the eye area.

This medication is also used to reduce the buildup of body fluids (edema) caused by congestive heart failure or certain medications. Acetazolamide may decrease in performance over time, so it is usually only used for a short period of time.

This medication can also be used with other medicines to treat certain types of seizures.

Another function of Acetazolamide is that this drug can also be used to treat periodic paralysis, which is a disorder of the membrane.

How is acetazolamide used?

If you are taking a tablet-type medication, take this medication 1 to 4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. If you take capsules long-acting, take this medication 1 or 2 times daily or as directed by your doctor.

Swallow the capsule whole. Do not open, crush, or chew the capsules. This can destroy the long-term effects of the drug and actually increase the side effects.

Acetazolamide can be used with or without food. Drink plenty of water, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Your dose is based on your medical condition and your response to treatment.

To prevent altitude sickness, start taking acetazolamide 1 to 2 days before you start climbing. Continue to use it while you are climbing and for at least 48 hours after you have reached the top.

What should be considered before using acetazolamide?

Another use of Acetazolamide is if you are taking this medicine for another condition (for example, glaucoma or seizures) then use this medicine regularly as directed by your doctor to get its benefits.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about dosing at the right time for your condition.

Do not increase, decrease the dose, or stop using this medication without first consulting your doctor. Some may worsen when the use of this drug suddenly stops. Your dose may need to be tapered off gradually.

When used for a long period of time, this drug may not work very well and may require a different dosage. The doctor will monitor your condition. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

Another fact of Acetazolamide is that it can reduce the level of potassium in your blood. Your doctor may recommend that you eat foods rich in potassium (for example, banana or orange juice) while you are taking this medicine.

Your doctor may also prescribe a potassium supplement for you during treatment. Consult your doctor for more information.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is acetazolamide stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom and do not freeze.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Acetazolamide dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the acetazolamide dosage for adults?

Usual adult dosage for edema

• 250-375 mg orally or 4 times a day.
• Long-term dose: once a day or once every two days provided that one of the two days is used for rest.

The maximum result of Acetazolamide is when it is taken by mouth with the one day method of drinking one day no. Doses that are too high can actually lead to treatment failure.

When continuing acetazolamide treatment for edema is desirable, it is recommended that every second or third dose be skipped to give the kidneys a chance to recover first.

Usual adult dose for Altitude Sickness

The dosage used for treatment altitude sicknessis 500 to 1000 mg daily in two separate doses. The maximum recommended dose is 1 gram / day.

For fast hikes, higher doses are beneficial for preventing disease starting 24-48 hours before climbing and continuing for 48 hours during high altitudes.

Usual adult dosage for glaucoma

Open angle glaucoma:

The dosage for the treatment of open angle glaucoma is 250 to 1000 mg daily. The drug is in tablet form at a dose of 250 mg which is taken 4 times a day.

If using a capsule with a dose of 500 mg, then it is consumed 2 times a day. Adjust dosage based on your health condition.

Closed angle glaucoma:

Slightly different, for the treatment of angle closure glaucoma the dosage used is 250 mg every 4 hours and taken 2 times a day, or 500 mg followed by 125 mg or 250 mg every 4 hours.

Usual adult dose for seizure prophylaxis

The dosage used is 8 to 30 mg / kg separated in 4 times usage in one day. Do not exceed the use of more than 1 gram per day.

If this patient is already taking other anticonvulsants, the recommended starting dose is 250 mg once daily. When acetazolamide is used alone, most patients with good kidney function use daily doses ranging from 375-1000 mg.

The optimum dose for patients with renal dysfunction is unknown, depending on clinical response and patient tolerance to this treatment.

Acetazolamide is a drug used for the treatment of refractory epilepsy in combination with other drugs.

Although it may be useful in partial seizures, myoclonic, absence, and general tonic-clonic primers uncontrolled by other agents, there has not been sufficient research on current standards for these conditions.

What is the dose of acetazolamide for children?

Usual children's dosage for glaucoma

The dosage used for children aged 12 years and over is a 500 mg capsule that is taken 2 times a day.

Use of this medication is recommended for open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and if you want to delay glaucoma surgery, it can be used to reduce intraocular pressure, or the pressure exerted by the contents of the eyeball against the wall of the eyeball.

Usual children's dosage for edema

The dosage for children in the treatment of edema is 5 mg or 150 mg divided into 4 doses a day.

Usual children's dosage for epilepsy

The dosage for the treatment of epilepsy in children is 8 to 30 mg daily divided into 4 different doses. The maximum dose is 1 gram a day.

Usual children's dosage for hydrocephalus

For the treatment of hydrocephalus, the dose of acetazolamide is 20 to 100 mg daily which is taken for 6 - 8 hours. The maximum dose for this treatment is 2 grams a day.

In what dosage is acetazolamide available?

• 12H Extended Release (ER) Capsule, Oral: 500mg
• Tablet, Oral: 125mg, 250mg

Acetazolamide side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to acetazolamide?

All drugs can cause side effects, but many people don't experience them. Check with your doctor if any of the most common or frequent side effects don't go away. The side effects of acetazolamide are:

• Blurred vision
• Changes in sense of taste
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Urinating frequently
• Loss of appetite
• Nauseous vomit

Get medical help right away if any of the serious side effects occur, namely:

• Severe allergic reaction (rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue)
• Blood in urine
• Changes in hearing
• Seizures
• Dark or bloody stools
• Dark urine
• Quick breath
• Fever
• Lack of energy
• Lower back pain
• Red, swollen, or blistered skin
• Ringing in the ears
• Sore throat
• Tingling in the arms or legs
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Vision changes
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes

Not everyone experiences the side effects that have been mentioned. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Acetazolamide Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using acetazolamide?

Acetazolamide is a drug that can interact with several medical conditions. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if they are any of the following:

• If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• If you are using prescription or non-prescription drugs, herbs, or dietary supplements
• If you have an allergy to drugs, food, or other substances
• If you have kidney stones, lung disease, glaucoma (for example, chronic non-congestive angle closure glaucoma), diabetes, or difficulty breathing
• If you have a severe allergic reaction (for example, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, or dizziness) to any other sulfonamide drugs such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (for example, hydrochlorothiazide), glyburide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide
• Some drugs may interact with acetazolamide. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
  • Salicylates (eg aspirin) because they can increase the risk of acetazolamide side effects
  • Other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (for example, methazolamide), cyclosporine, quinidine, phenytoin, amphetamines, or sodium bicarbonate because the risk of side effects may increase if there is an interaction with acetazolamide
  • Primidone, lithium, or methenamine because the effectiveness of these drugs may decrease if interacting with acetazolamide

This list may not be a complete list of all possible interactions. Ask your doctor if acetazolamide can interact with other medicines you are taking. Check with your doctor before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Is acetazolamide safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Acetazolamide Drug Interactions

What other medicines may interact with acetazolamide?

Although certain drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different drugs can be used together and even interactions may occur. In this case, your doctor may be able to change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed.

Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs.

There are 394 types of drugs that can interact with acetazolamide, including the following:

• Advair Discus
• aspirin
• Benadryl
• CoQ10
• Cymbalta
• Fish Oil
• furosemide
• ibuprofen
• Lasix
• Lyrica
• methotrexate
• Metoprolol Tartrate
• naproxen
• Nexium
• Norco
• Paracetamol
• ProAir HFA
• Synthroid
• Topamax
• Tylenol
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D3
• Zofran
• Zyrtec

Can food or alcohol interact with acetazolamide?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor.

What health conditions can interact with acetazolamide?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems.

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Use of this medication may increase the concentration of your blood sugar and urine sugar.
• Closed angle glaucoma
• Emphysema or other chronic lung disease. Use of this medication may increase your risk of acidosis (shortness of breath, breathing problems).
• Uric acid
• Hypokalemia, or low blood potassium level. Use of this drug might make this condition worse.
• Kidney disease or kidney stones. This condition can increase the chance of side effects from the drug. Also, these drugs can make the condition worse.
• Liver disease. Use of this medication may increase the risk of electrolyte imbalance and possibly make the condition worse.
• Adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison's disease). Use of this drug can increase the risk of electrolyte imbalance.

Acetazolamide overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• Abnormal skin sensation (for example, tingling, tickling, itching, burning)
• Buzzing, ringing, or whistling in the ears
• Drowsiness
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of coordination
• Nausea
• Tremor
• Movement is wobbly
• Gag

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.