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Acetazolamide - Learn about Acetazolamide Side Effects and Precautions

Acetazolamide Information

The pharmacology action of Acetazolamide is inhibits carbonic anhydrase enzyme, reducing rate of aqueous humor formation and thus lowering IOP; produces diuretic effect; retards neuronal conduction in brain.

Acetazolamide is used in prevention or lessening of symptoms associated with acute mountain sickness (tablet only); adjunctive treatment of chronic simple (open-angle) glaucoma and secondary glaucoma; preoperative treatment of acute congestive (closed-angle) glaucoma; adjunctive treatment of 1) edema caused by CHF or drug-induced edema and 2) centrencephalic epilepsies (eg, petit mal, generalized seizures).

Interaction and Contraindication of Acetazolamide

Interaction of Acetazolamide -
Diflunisal:  May cause significant decrease in IOP.
Primidone:  Primidone concentrations may be altered.
Quinidine:  Quinidine serum levels may be increased.
Salicylates:  May cause acetazolamide accumulation and toxicity, including CNS depression and metabolic acidosis.
Contraindication of Acetazolamide - Hypersensitivity to other sulfonamides; depressed sodium and/or potassium serum levels; marked kidney and liver disease or dysfunction; suprarenal gland failure; hyperchloremic acidosis; adrenocortical insufficiency; severe pulmonary obstruction with increased risk of acidosis; cirrhosis; long-term use in chronic noncongestive angle-closure glaucoma. Sustained release dosage form is not recommended for use as anticonvulsant or for treatment of edema caused by CHF or drug-induced edema.

Side Effects of Acetazolamide

Here are the list of some common side effects of Acetazolamide :

• Drowsiness; confusion; sensory disturbances, including paresthesia and loss of appetite; convulsions.
• Skin rash; urticaria
• Transient myopia; hearing disturbances; sore throat; tinnitus.
• Nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; melena; taste alterations
• Blood dyscrasias, including agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia; unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Flaccid paralysis; fever; flank or loin pain; severe adverse reactions associated with sulfonamides, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis; photosensitivity.

Precaution and Warning while taking Acetazolamide

The precaution and warnings of Acetazolamide drug is as follows:

• Advise patient or caregiver that injection will be prepared and administered by a health care provider in a health care setting.
• Advise patient with glaucoma to continue to use other glaucoma medications prescribed by health care provider unless advised otherwise.
• Advise patient with epilepsy to continue to use other AEDs prescribed by health care provider unless advised otherwise.
• Review dosing schedule with patient.
• Advise patient to take each dose with a full (8 oz) glass of water without regard to meals. Advise patient to take with food if stomach upset occurs.
• Advise patient using sustained-release capsules to swallow whole. Caution patient not to crush or chew capsule.
• Advise patient urine production may increase following the first few doses of the medication and that this is normal and of no concern. Advise patient to inform health care provider if excessive urine production occurs.
• Advise patient to drink fluids liberally (eg, eight 8 oz glasses of water daily) while taking this medication.
• Advise patient using medication for preventing symptoms of high altitude sickness that if rapid ascent produces symptoms of high altitude sickness, rapid descent is necessary.
• Advise patient to discontinue therapy and contact health care provider immediately if any of the following occur: rash, hives, itching, sore throat, unexplained fever, pallor, purple spots under the skin, unusual bleeding or bruising, blood in urine, tingling or tremors in hands or feet, ringing in ears or hearing changes, flank or loin pain.
• Advise patient to avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight or tanning lamps and to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing to avoid photosensitivity reactions.
• Advise patient that drug may cause drowsiness and to use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring mental alertness until tolerance is determined.
• Advise women to notify health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient to not take any prescription or OTC medications, dietary supplements, or herbal preparations unless advised by health care provider.

How to store Acetazolamide

• Dose is individualized depending on condition being treated.
• May be used alone or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).
• Is used as an adjunct to usual therapy when treating glaucoma