Generic Name: acetazolamide
Brand Name: Diamox, Diamox Sequels
General Information:
Diamox (acetazolamide) controls fluid secretion. It is used to treat glaucoma (excessive pressure in the eyes), epilepsy (for both brief and unlocalized seizures), and fluid retention due to congestive heart failure or drugs. It is also used to prevent or relieve the symptoms of acute mountain sickness in climbers attempting a rapid climb and those who feel sick even though they are making a gradual climb.
Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.
Don’t stop treatment with Diamox earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol. Always contact a medic before giving Diamox to a child.
Important Information:
Inform your physician as soon as possible in the following conditions:
- fever, a sore throat
- a rash
- tingling or tremors in your feet or hands
- unusual bruising or bleeding
Avoid sun since Diamox may make you more sensitive to sunlight.
In which cases Diamox shouldn’t be used?
Tell your health care professional if you have or had an allergy to a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole (for example, Bactrim, Septra, Gantanol).
Before taking Diamox, tell your medical assistant if any of the following conditions apply to you:
- heart, lung , hormonal, kidney, liver disease
- you are on aspirin therapy
FDA pregnancy category C. There is not enough information if Diamox can be taken during pregnancy. Don’t take Diamox without first consulting with your medical assistant if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
How do I take this medicine?
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Don’t share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s recommendations. Don’t take more or longer than your doctor recommended.
Take every dose with a glass of water. If Diamox upsets your stomach, take this remedy with food.
What should be done if I missed the dose?
In case you forgot to take the dose, take it at your earliest opportunity. Never double your dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Take only one dose at once.
Overdosage:
Taking any medicine in large doses you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, contact your physician instantly.
In large doses, this remedy may cause the following conditions:
- ringing in the ears
- nausea
- shaking
- numbness or tingling
- vomiting, drowsiness and dizziness
- decreased appetite
Which side effects can I perceive from this remedy?
Contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following
Serious side effects:
- allergy like skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, hives, itching, difficulty breathing
- side or groin pain
- a rash
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- tremors or tingling in your feet or hands
- fever or a sore throat
Less serious side effects:
- worsening gout
- mild tremor or nervousness
- diarrhea, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, changes in taste or constipation
- loss of blood sugar control (if you are diabetic)
- changes in your vision
- confusion
- drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, or weakness
- headache
- hearing problems or ringing in your ears
- increased sensitivity to sunlight
This list of side effects may be not complete, others may occur. Inform your medical practitioners about all side effects you experience.
Interactions:
- diflunisal (Dolobid). It may increase both the activity and the side effects of Diamox.
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others). Diamox may decrease the level of lithium in your blood. Special monitoring or a dosage adjustment may be requierd.
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune). It may have more side effects if it is taken with Diamox.
- choline salicylate (Arthropan), aspirin, magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan’s, Mobidin), salsalate (Salflex, Disalcid, Salsitab, etc.), and other aspirin-like products (salicylates).
- primidone (Mysoline). It may not be as effective if it is taken with Diamox, and seizure control may be reduced.
This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.
Storage:
Diamox should be stored at room temperature, in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Diamox out of the reach of children and away from animals.
Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor. The information contained in this article is not intended to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, directions, uses, allergic reactions or warnings.
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.