Acetazolamide (a-seet-a-ZOLE-a-mide)

Treats glaucoma, seizures, and edema (swelling). Also prevents mountain sickness.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Long Acting Capsule, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Extended-release capsule:
  • Swallow the capsule whole. Do not chew, crush, or open it.
  • You will need to go to the bathroom more often while you are taking this medicine. To keep from having to go too often during the night, take this medicine in the morning. If you use more than 1 dose a day, take your last dose before 6 p.m. (unless your doctor tells you differently).
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how acetazolamide works. Tell your doctor if you are using aspirin, amphetamine, quinidine, or methenamine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have lung problems.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney stones
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination
• Confusion, drowsiness
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Trouble breathing, tiredness, uneven heartbeat
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Changes in vision
• Diarrhea
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Ringing in you ears, trouble hearing
• Unusual taste in your mouth

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088