The information on this site is intended to supplement and enhance, not replace, the advice of a physician who is familiar with your medical history. Decisions about your health should always be made ONLY after detailed conversation with your doctor.
Generic drug name:
acetazolamide
(a set a ZOLE a mide)
Brand name(s):
DIAMOX
GENERIC:
available
FAMILY:
Drugs for Glaucoma
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Generic drug name:
methazolamide
(meth a ZOLE a mide)
Brand name(s):
NEPTAZANE
GENERIC:
available
FAMILY:
Drugs for Glaucoma
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Warnings [top]
Pregnancy Warning
These drugs caused fetal harm in animal studies, including limb defects in developing fetuses. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects to the fetus, these drugs should not be used by pregnant women.
Breast-feeding Warning
No information is available from either human or animal studies. However, it is likely that these drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for adverse effects in nursing infants, you should not take these drugs while nursing.
Facts About This Drug [top]
Acetazolamide and methazolamide are oral drugs used to treat glaucoma. These drugs belong to the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor family of medications that lower the pressure in the eye and thus improve vision in patients with glaucoma. Acetazolamide is also used to treat altitude sickness and to supplement other drugs used for seizure disorders such as epilepsy. In the past, acetazolamide was used as a diuretic (water pill) to treat high blood pressure, but it is outdated for this use because...
Acetazolamide and methazolamide are oral drugs used to treat glaucoma. These drugs belong to the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor family of medications that lower the pressure in the eye and thus improve vision in patients with glaucoma. Acetazolamide is also used to treat altitude sickness and to supplement other drugs used for seizure disorders such as epilepsy. In the past, acetazolamide was used as a diuretic (water pill) to treat high blood pressure, but it is outdated for this use because more effective drugs are now available.[1],[2] Methazolamide is used long-term for open-angle glaucoma. It may be used temporarily before surgery for angle-closure (narrow-angle) glaucoma. Studies of methazolamide to control essential tremor are not yet conclusive.[3]
These drugs are cousins of sulfa drugs and thiazide diuretics, having the potential for the same adverse effects but no action against bacteria. Deaths have occurred, although rarely, due to severe reactions to sulfa drugs. If signs of hypersensitivity or other serious reactions occur, discontinue use of this drug.[4]
This family of drugs may cause kidney stones and gouty arthritis. They may also lower your body’s ability to fight infection by impeding the proper functioning of bone marrow. Older people with decreased kidney function need to be cautious when taking these drugs. These drugs may also reduce the amount of potassium in your body. To compensate for this loss, eat foods high in potassium. Many individuals cannot tolerate the adverse effects of this family of drugs for a prolonged period of time.[2]
Acetazolamide has caused a few cases of hives, fever, blood cell disorders, and kidney problems.[5] Stop taking the drug and call your doctor if you experience any of these reactions.
Methazolamide can upset the gastrointestinal tract and severely deplete your levels of calcium, potassium, and other minerals. Unfortunately, stopping methazolamide does not always reverse the damage to bone marrow.[6] Those with liver disease are at an increased risk of serious liver problems when using methazolamide.[7]
Before You Use This Drug [top]
Do not use if you have or have had:
Tell your doctor if you have or have had:
Tell your doctor about any other drugs you take, including aspirin, herbs, vitamins, and other nonprescription products.
When You Use This Drug [top]
How to Use This Drug [top]
Interactions with Other Drugs [top]
The following drugs, biologics (e.g., vaccines, therapeutic antibodies), or foods are listed in Evaluations of Drug Interactions 2003 as causing “highly clinically significant” or “clinically significant” interactions when used together with any of the drugs in this section. In some sections with multiple drugs, the interaction may have been reported for one but not all drugs in this section, but we include the interaction because the drugs in this section are similar to one another. We have also included potentially serious interactions listed in the drug’s FDA-approved professional package insert or in published medical journal articles. There may be other drugs, especially those in the families of drugs listed below, that also will react with this drug to cause severe adverse effects. Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist the drugs you are taking and tell them if you are taking any of these interacting drugs:
aspirin, AZOPT, brinzolamide, cyclosporine, dorzolamide, ECOTRIN, ESKALITH, GENUINE BAYER ASPIRIN, HIPREX, lithium, LITHOBID, LITHONATE, methenamine, NEORAL, quinidine, SANDIMMUNE, TOPAMAX, topiramate, TRUSOPT, UREX.
Adverse Effects [top]
Call your doctor immediately if you experience:
Call your doctor if these symptoms continue:
Periodic Tests[top]
Ask your doctor which of these tests should be done periodically while you are taking this drug:
last reviewed July 31, 2024
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